Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will extend wage subsidies, back to work allowances and supported employment schemes to assist people with disabilities into the labour force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32286/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Wage Subsidy Scheme provides financial incentives to employers and employees, outside the public sector to encourage the employment of people with disabilities. The scheme was implemented by FÁS, on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, in September 2005 on the basis of an initial three year pilot that would be subsequently reviewed within this time frame. The scheme is currently being reviewed by external consultants commissioned by the Department. The review will assess the operation of the scheme and its impact to date. It aims to identify areas which may be built upon to ensure that the scheme may achieve the maximum effect in meeting its original objectives of:

facilitating people with disabilities to enter paid employment in the open labour market.

encouraging employers to employ people with disabilities

giving people with disabilities the opportunity to experience open labour market employment.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has responsibility for the Back to Work Allowance. Accordingly, any decision with regard to any extension of this allowance is a matter for that Department. The Back to Work Allowance scheme allows unemployed people, lone parents and people on certain disability payments to take up employment and retain a percentage of their social welfare payment.

The FÁS funded Supported Employment Programme is an active labour market initiative to assist people with a disability who are job ready to find a job, leading to independence and career progression. The programme is being reviewed by external consultants commissioned by FÁS. The scope and terms of reference for this review include the making of recommendations that may further enhance the overall effectiveness of the programme in providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average industrial wage earned by a male worker and female worker respectively; the average male earnings and average female earnings generally; if he plans additional measures to help bridge the male and female earnings gap. [4068/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Data from the CSO quarterly industrial survey shows that average industrial earnings per hour for male industrial workers on adult rates in June 2007 was €16.62. For female industrial workers the average rate was €12.73.

From the CSO National Employment Survey for March 2006, average hourly earnings were €20.59 for males and €18.22 for females. These latter figures cover the entire economy in March 2006 (excluding employees in agriculture, forestry and fishing).

The gender pay gap has fallen consistently and is now below the EU average of 15%. The most recent official figures from Eurostat (2005) put the gender pay gap at 9%, placing Ireland fourth lowest among the EU27. This compares with a rate of 14% in 2003, showing a drop of 5% in two years.

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 Government Departments and agencies as outlined in the National Women's Strategy, 2007-2016. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment undertakes the following actions.

I am responsible for the National Minimum Wage legislation. The national minimum wage was introduced in Ireland in April 2000. Since its introduction there have been six increases to the minimum rate. The most recent increase saw the minimum wage increase to €8.65 per hour, which is the second highest in the EU. The introduction of the national minimum wage in 2000 has had a positive impact on women who previously were more likely to have received very low wages in sectors which were predominantly female. Prior to the introduction of the minimum wage, the gender pay gap was at 22%.

My Department is responsible for chairing and providing the secretariat for the National Framework Committee on Work/life Balance Policies. This Committee, which was established under the social partnership process, comprises representatives from IBEC, ICTU, the Equality Authority and a number of Government Departments. The Committee has undertaken and continues to undertake a range of activities to raise awareness and encourage the provision of work/life balance at the level of the enterprise, including the provision of financial assistance to organisations, information dissemination activities, seminars, research etc.

"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.