Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 11:

In page 146, after line 36, to insert the following:“Gender and Equality Proofing of Taxation and Expenditure

64. The Minister shall ensure a comprehensive gender and equality proofing of Budget 2020 is conducted to include both taxation and expenditure.”.

This recommendation aims to ensure that a full gender and equality proofing exercise is conducted for budget 2020. Gender and equality budgeting is committed to in the programme for Government, the national strategy for women and girls and the recommendations of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight. There has been strong rhetorical commitment in this area but very little action. Although pilot projects have been undertaken, they have been small in ambition and scale. We need to scale up this ambition.

It was disappointing that budget 2019 did not make progress in this area after some initial positive moves 12 months previously. A measure such as that proposed in the recommendation is in place in Scotland and other jurisdictions. We need to move beyond commitments and warm words and put this into practice.

I ask that the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, ensures that a gender and equality proofing exercise is conducted next year and that we deliver a budget which gives transparency and accountability in terms of addressing rather than exacerbating gender and economic inequality. Obviously, there are points to be made in terms of positive actions with regard to social welfare and taxation, but the tax forgone must also be considered. We need to have oversight on this issue and its impact in terms of gender and inequality.