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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Women's programme and gender-proofing

Summary

Deputy Martin questioned the Government’s commitments for women on International Women’s Day and pressed for specific gender-focused measures in the programme for Government. The Taoiseach replied about gender-proofing budgets, with interruptions over the scope of the exchange and procedure.

Today is International Women's Day. There is no large section in the programme for Government regarding programmes for women but there is a small paragraph on page 105 under the heading "Empowering Women", which states:

Following the introduction of legislation encouraging increased female participation in politics, we will publish an updated National Women's Strategy by the end of 2016, further promoting women's participation in decision making. We will empower women to ensure that households headed by women are no longer at a higher risk of poverty. We will take measures to reduce the gender pay gap - inclusive of increasing investment in childcare and reviewing the lower pay of women and gender inequality for senior appointments. We will also seek to promote:

- Wage transparency by requiring companies of 50 and more to complete a wage survey

- Locally delivered courses for women, comprising a series of training opportunities on self-development and work related skills, to assist a return to the labour market ...

- Increased female participation on state boards to 40% ...

Will the Taoiseach send me a written note, which he might publish subsequently, on how the Government has measured up on each specific commitment in the programme for Government and identify - indent by indent - the progress that has been made on each of those objectives contained in it? Perhaps he has that information to hand.

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

Is the Deputy's question in respect of women only or the entire programme?

Comment on this

The entire programme is that little bit in this document.

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I know that but the note the Deputy has sought is it-----

Comment on this

It is that little bit in the document that I am talking about. They are specific proposals.

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I will be very happy to do that. I remind the Deputy that-----

Comment on this

It is not a new strategy where-----

Comment on this

We cannot have a conversation on this. This is becoming a farce.

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is bringing in gender-proofing for budgets that he is preparing for 2018.

Comment on this