Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to start by paying tribute to my fellow women, the length and breadth of the State and beyond. International Women's Day gives us the opportunity to take stock and to celebrate the achievements of women in Ireland and around the world. It also allows us to recognise and acknowledge where more needs to be done. I want to pay tribute to the many women whose work does not get recognition and I want to thank them for all they do. Yes, great strides have been made, but we still have a long way to go before full equality is a reality. At the end of last year, census data revealed that women in Clare earn almost €6,000, or 20% less, than their male counterparts. This is a whopper of a difference and a slap in the face to those women who deserve better.

We know that those on minimum wage are struggling to afford rents as they have spiralled out of control. Importantly, they continue to spiral out of control and beyond anyone's means. This has a disproportionate impact on women, especially those who are experiencing domestic and gender-based violence. I asked the Minister if the newly established agency, Cuan, is seeking to increase capacity to alleviate the pressures I know Clare Haven Services is up against day in, day out. Sadly and disappointingly, there is currently no plan. That is heartbreaking for me, as I know what that may mean for those who are suffering.

I also want to acknowledge our nurses, midwives, childcare workers, care assistants and sanitation workers, who are overwhelmingly female. They are also some of the most undervalued, overworked and underfunded workers in the State. We are also fighting an uphill battle, especially in respect of the reinstatement question, as University Hospital Limerick, UHL, is the only model 4 hospital without a model 3 hospital to support it.

In this House, of a total of 160 Deputies, only 37 are female. The Dáil is 77% male and a mere 23% female. I am actually one of only four elected TDs in the whole of Munster. We have a long way to go. I would like to see a second Dáil Chamber to make it more family-friendly and I would like to see increased capacity in the crèche facilities. I would also like to see humanitarian leave, such as maternity leave, for Members. For the last two years, I have been working on a Bill that I hope to have in the House in the very near future.

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