Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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164. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the planned timeline for the transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive; the measures being taken to ensure employers will have adequate time and sufficient information to properly prepare for the changes; the supports that will be available to employers for carrying out job evaluation projects linked to the Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34980/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Pay Transparency Directive (officially known as Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 to strengthen the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women through pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms) came into force in June 2023. Member States have three years from that date to transpose it into national law, i.e. by June 2026.

Ireland's Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 already complies with the basic requirements of the Directive. The implementation of this Act and associated regulations require employers to report their gender pay gap each year, and the measures that are being taken to eliminate or reduce the gap.

Department officials are currently examining the best approach to transpose the other elements of this Directive into Irish law. This Directive is crucial to empower workers, and especially women, to enforce their right to equal pay through a set of binding measures on pay transparency, to strengthen the transparency of pay systems, to improve public understanding of the relevant legal concepts, and to enhance enforcement of the rights and obligations relating to equal pay.

The Department is also aware of the need to ensure that employers are aware of their obligations under the Directive. There will be opportunities in the near future for stakeholders, particularly employers, to engage with the Department on issues such as available supports, as we move into the next phases of the transposition process.