David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action which can be taken to improve pay rates for women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23891/06]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recently published National Employment Survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23890/06]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the results of the National Employment Survey published in May 2006 by the Central Statistics Office that women are paid almost 16 per cent less than men. [23954/06]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the efforts being made by his Department in relation to pay equality between the sexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 93, 99 and 122 together.

The National Employment Survey, which is conducted by the Central Statistics Office, provides more detailed comparisons than previously available of employees' earnings. This Survey is a valuable source of information and will help in the consideration and development of policies in the relevant areas.

Primary responsibility for policy in relation to equal pay 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 multifaceted task involving a number of Government Departments. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment undertakes the following actions.

The National Framework Committee on Work/Life Balance Policies, which is chaired by the Department, undertakes a range of activities to raise awareness and encourage the provision of work/life balance arrangements at the level of the enterprise. The committee's activities 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. In this regard, I accepted the Labour Court recommendation and increased the minimum wage to €7.65 per hour with effect from 1 May 2005. Furthermore, the new Social Partnership agreement provides for a further adjustment to the minimum wage with effect from 1 January, 2007.

"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.