Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

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.

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