Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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670. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the perceived gender pay gap; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32286/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Figures published by Eurostat indicate that the gender pay gap (defined as the difference between the average gross hourly earnings of male and female paid employees as a percentage of average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees) in Ireland was 14.4% in 2012, below the EU average of 16.4%. This is the most recent data available on the gender pay gap in Ireland.

The gender pay gap is of concern because it impacts on women’s life long earnings, economic independence, private pension provisions and risk of poverty in older years. There are many complex causes of the gap, including women’s increased likelihood to work part-time; to work in particular sectors; to play a disproportionately large role in the provision of caring within the family; to be under-represented in leadership and management roles and to experience discriminatory and gender-biased workplace practices and pay systems. The undervaluing of women’s work and the under-utilisation of women’s skills is also a lost resource for the economy and for society.

Reviewing and closing the gender pay gap remains a key element in the work of my Department. The National Women’s Strategy includes a commitment to address the gender pay gap. Work ongoing in my Department includes fostering the advancement of women into decision-making roles and examining the possibilities of sharing maternity leave between parents and introducing paternity leave.