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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Equality of Pay.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

304 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to reports which show women earn on average only 85% of the comparable wage paid to men; the steps he has taken to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3670/02]

My Department commissioned the ESRI Report, "How Unequal, Men and Women in the Irish Labour Market", which found that the average hourly earnings of women were 84.5% of average male earnings. This study was commissioned on behalf of a special Partnership 2000 working group, which included representation from relevant Departments and the social partners. This research is based on a 1997 economy-wide survey of earners and includes benefits, such as pensions. The report was published by the Economic and Social Research Institute in July 2000 and was subsequently launched by me in October of that year. This research is being co-funded by the EU. The research showed that the gender pay gap had narrowed by 4.5% over a ten year period.

Under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, a consultative group was established in February 2001 and has met three times since that date to develop proposals for action to address the issues identified in the ESRI report for consideration by Government. The group, chaired by my Department, includes representatives from relevant Departments, the Central Statistics Office, the Equality Authority and the social partners. The group expects to be in a position to submit its report to Government by the end of 2002.

The group is also overseeing sectoral studies on male-female wage differentials in the following areas; IT, electronic and electrical, retail, food and local government. Arising from a successful application by my Department under the EU Gender Equality Programme 2000-05, the sectoral study research will be carried out in partnership with Finland, Sweden and Northern Ireland. This project will also inform the consultative group's report to Government. This research is being co-funded by the EU and will be concluded during 2002.

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