David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts his Department is making to address the factors underlying the gender pay gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18061/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Primary responsibility for policy in relation to the gender pay gap is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Addressing the factors behind the gender pay gap is, however, a multi-faceted task involving a number of Departments. My Department undertakes the following actions.

The national framework committee on work-life balance policies, which is chaired by my Department, undertakes a range of activities to raise awareness and encourage the provision of work-life balance at the level of the enterprise. These include the provision of financial assistance to organisations, information dissemination activities, seminars, and research activities.

The introduction of the national minimum wage has also had an impact in addressing the gender pay gap. I recently accepted the Labour Court recommendation and increased the minimum wage to €7.65 per hour with effect from 1 May 2005.

Expanding the Workforce, which is run by FÁS, is aimed at proactively encouraging women to return to work. The initiative facilitates women returnees by ensuring that training is provided in a flexible manner and is tailored to meet business requirements and skills needs of employers.