Press release
Minister O’Gorman commits to introducing strengthened Gender Pay Gap legislation
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Roderic O’Gorman T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has announced his intention to bring forward a strengthened Gender Pay Gap Information Bill in early 2021.
The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 will require organisations to report on the pay differences between female and male employees, including any bonuses.
The Bill was originally published in April 2019, lapsing with the dissolution of the Dáil in 2020, before being restored to the Order Paper earlier this year.
Minister O’Gorman will now seek Cabinet approval in January to strengthen the Bill, including amendments that ensure the Bill applies to all public bodies and Government Departments, and strengthening the enforcement mechanisms in the Bill.
Minister O’Gorman stated:
“I look forward to bringing a strengthened Gender Pay Gap Information Bill to Cabinet in January. We need legislation that contributes to a fairer economy and ensures that we are continuing to close the gender pay gap. There should be nowhere to hide for any organisation that pays women less than men.
“We need to gain an accurate understanding of the gender pay gap to help address the root causes of the gender pay disparity between men and women. This Bill, once implemented, will bring us another step forward in achieving a more equal society for everyone.”
ENDS
The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 will require organisations to report on the gender pay differentials in their organisations, setting out pay differences between female and male employees. It will include bonuses.
The requirement will initially apply to organisations with 250 or more employees but will extend over time to organisations with 50 or more employees. Organisations will be able to indicate the reasons for any gender pay differentials that are reported.
The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 was published in April 2019, passing Second Stage in the Dáil on 14 May 2019 and Committee Stage on 27 June 2019. The Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil in January 2020. The Bill has now been restored to the Order Paper.