Roderic O’Gorman T.D, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has welcomed the passage of the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill by the Houses of the Oireachtas. The legislation will now be sent to the President for consideration.
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 later that year.
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 required to indicate the reasons for any gender pay differentials that are reported.
Minister O’Gorman sought Cabinet approval in January 2021 to strengthen the Bill, introducing amendments ensuring the Bill applies to all public bodies and Government Departments, strengthening the enforcement mechanisms and shortening the review period for the Bill once enacted.
Minister O’Gorman said, “with the passage of the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill, pay transparency is now one step closer. Reporting of the gender pay gap by employers will provide accountability and transparency, helping to ensure that employers address the gender pay disparity between men and women.”
“The passing of this strengthened legislation is testament to this Government’s commitment to gender equality, and I am determined to continue making progress on this”.
Regulations to give effect to the provisions of the Bill must now be drafted and it is likely that the reporting process will begin in 2022. Further details on how and when companies will begin reporting will be publicised in due course.
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