Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality

Recommendations of the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Jennifer Carroll MacNeillJennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in. It is great to have them here and to have this session. I have a couple of questions on foot of the opening statements. Can Mr. Peelo elaborate on a few things in his statement?

I fully acknowledge what he stated about the ESRI and the problem of lone parents bearing primary responsibility for care. I find it difficult enough between two parents to reconcile work, care and everything else, and I recognise the particular situation of lone parents. He went on to refer to combining the social welfare payment with part-time work. Will he elaborate on that? He indicated he believes the structures should be changed and overhauled. Will he give us some detail and examples of that?

The universal basic income scheme has always been a very interesting idea. Of course, it has been piloted in some sectors of the arts economy and it will be interesting to see how that works. Mr. Peelo might elaborate a little on his thoughts about that.

I was struck by the point he made in respect of gender inequalities and issues faced by men specifically. He said he would be happy to discuss that further, so he might elaborate on that.