These amendments revise the proposals in section 7 of the Bill and, in particular, the new section 13AA(7), which provides for the regulation-making power for the Minister in setting the level of pay for domestic violence leave. Amendment No. 2 proposes to amend section 13AA(1), which provides for the circumstances in which an employee is entitled to domestic violence leave. The amendment does not make any policy changes, but merely rewords the section for drafting clarity, including ensuring the lists of purposes …

It is important to note the proposals we are bringing forward and, it is hoped, will be passed into legislation after today's debate, have been welcomed. They have been welcomed by NGOs and organisations working in this sector and by the trade unions, some of which have campaigned for this for a long time. Thus, there is a strong welcome for the proposals. A number of the Deputies have referred to the universal standard, but that may be among four or five countries that have adopted this on a national basis. When w…

I thank the Deputy.

I do not feel I am being cagey at all. A number of important rights have to be initiated through this legislation. There is DSGBV leave. We have to make the changes to the availability to access breast-feeding breaks. We have to do significant work on the right to request remote working. A code of conduct has to be drawn up by the WRC. We have to do some work on flexible working and carer's leave as well. When I engaged with the social partners, they said we need to stagger this and we cannot bring it all in at onc…

These are amendments to ensure clarity and harmonised language in the drafting of the Bill. They ensure that the provisions can be clearly understood and there is continuity of language in the relevant provisions. These amendments do not substantively change any of the provisions referenced but merely ensure that the policy intention is clear. I recommend that these amendments be accepted.

A new subsection 13H inserts a review clause for the provisions under the new Part IIA of the Parental Leave Act 1998. These amendments make it explicit in the legislation that the review will include a consideration of whether the right to request flexible working should be extended to all employees. This has always been the intention in bringing forward these proposals but the provision will ensure that this a requirement of the review. I recommend that these amendments be accepted.

Section 15 of the Bill amends section 27 of the Parental Leave Act which provides for the retention of records to be held by an employer in respect of the forms of leave and entitlements under the Act. Section 15 provides that those records relating to leave for medical care purposes and the right to request a flexible working arrangement be held for three years only. The requirements of the general data protection regulation are that third party data should only be held as long as necessary. An extension of this p…

I am aware of the specific instance raised by the Deputy. The hotel in question received a substantial payment last week and we are looking into measures that can be taken to complete other elements of the payment the hotel is owed. My Department has processed a significant number of payments. We are paying €30 million to €35 million per week at present but I recognise that we are still working through a backlog. The amount we are paying per week is increasing significantly. We have taken on a significant number of…

I thank the Deputy. Likewise, we face similar challenges in my own area of CHO 9, particularly in terms of the waiting lists. That is due for the most part to the lack of therapists within the children's disability network teams, CDNTs. That is a real struggle across the health system right now in terms of getting enough of the right people into those front-line positions. Addressing that and filling those positions is the key priority for me and for the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who has responsibility fo…

I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2023, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 7th February, 2023.

International Women's Day is an important day for us all and a reminder of the need for equality and mutual respect among all people. I acknowledge all the women who are experiencing conflict and displacement at this time. Among their number are the many Ukrainian women and girls who have come to Ireland for protection over the past year. As Minister with responsibility for gender equality, International Women’s Day is a significant day and a reminder of my Department’s mission of working towards "a fair, equal and…

Yes.

I am happy if, in order to facilitate Senator-----

That is not a problem. I thank the Acting Chair and the Members for their contributions and for reflecting the progress that has been made, the challenges that remain and the frustration about those challenges. I recognise there is frustration regarding the slow pace of reform in certain areas. I share that same level of frustration too. I had the privilege to represent Ireland at the UN Commission on the Status of Women over the past two days in New York. The key theme of this year’s conference was technology-faci…

I begin my statement today by wishing everyone, particularly my female colleagues, a happy International Women's Day. As Minister with responsibility for gender equality, International Women’s Day is a significant day and a reminder of my Department’s mission of working towards “a fair, equal and inclusive society where rights are respected, and where everyone can reach their potential”. Achieving gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women and girls are key priorities for Ireland's domestic and foreign …

I thank Deputies for their statements. There were many detailed and specific contributions. I take the opportunity to respond to Deputy Harkin's point as I was not in the Dáil earlier. The preservation of records about Ireland's institutional past is essential. A significant step in that preservation has already been taken with the Birth Information and Tracing Act we passed last year. The major focus of that legislation was the provision of birth and early life information. To update the House, over 2,500 of some …

I apologise that I was not in the Chamber when discussions commenced. I thank both Deputies for bringing forward this Private Members' Bill, which the Government will not be opposing on Second Stage. As the Deputies said, discrimination at any stage of employment is unacceptable and the proposed amendment today to the Employment Equality Act would prohibit advertising a position without including an approximate remuneration. I appreciate the work that has gone into this Bill and commend the Deputies on highlighting…

I think I have addressed the main elements and set out the Government's position.

I will be bringing forward a set of amendments today in the Seanad to ensure the views of the domestic, sexual and gender-based violence providers are explicitly taken into account in terms of the determination of the rate of pay. That is the best way we can ensure those people-----

-----who are working on the front line, such as Women's Aid and the groups the Deputy referred to, will be able to influence the decision taken on the rate of pay.