Other News In Brief

Per Cent For Arts Scheme Cap To Be Reviewed

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that she intends to review the cap on the Per Cent for Art Scheme.

Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys, said: "The Per Cent for Arts Scheme is well known and embedded in all public infrastructure works. We are all familiar with the variety of unique public art works and sculptures on our roads which have been funded through the scheme. In addition, there are numerous art works in our schools, hospitals and other public buildings which have been funded via the scheme.

"At present, capital construction projects can include a budget of 1% up to a maximum of €64,000 for an art project.

"The current cap was set by Government in 1997 and given a period of twenty years has now elapsed, I believe it is an appropriate time to carry out a review of the cap.

"In this regard, I have today asked my Department to consider the matter and to report to me on possible options for reviewing the cap."

Taoiseach To Present National Enterprise Awards

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny will present awards at this year's National Enterprise Awards in Dublin on Friday 25 May.

The Taoiseach has accepted the invitation and will join the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O' Connor and the Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen.　

The awards were set-up in 1997 to celebrate the achievements of Ireland's micro-enterprises and small businesses and 32 finalists from all over the country have won a place at this year's national final.　

The Taoiseach said: "The National Enterprise Awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of micro and small enterprises located all around our country.

"They have played an important role in Ireland's economic recovery and will continue to contribute to Ireland's future economic growth and job creation. Ireland's unemployment has dropped from over 15.4% to 6.2% and continues to fall.　

"Micro and small enterprises provide employment in every village, town and city across this country which is why the Regional Action Plan for Jobs places a focus on this area. Government will continue to work with business of all size to cement the recovery which is well underway."　

SIPTU Demo In Support Of Gender Pay Gap Bill

SIPTU has called on people to demonstrate in support of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017, outside Leinster House, Dublin 2, today (Wednesday, 24th May), at 6.00pm.

The Bill will be introduced by Senator Ivana Bacik for a Second Stage debate in the Seanad. It seeks to tackle the 'gender pay gap' by requiring large employers to publish information on pay rates in their organisation.

SIPTU National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: "The 'gender pay gap' is the difference between the pay of women and men, based on a calculation of average difference in gross hourly earnings. Its existence reflects ongoing discrimination and inequalities in the labour market which, in practice, mainly affect women.

"The gender pay gap exists across our economy and in all sectors and occupations. In 2013, the EU Commission published a major study on the gender pay gap, noting that in Ireland women currently earn around 13.9% less than men.The EU average has women earning 16% less than men.

"Management and supervisory positions are overwhelmingly held by men. Within each sector men are more often promoted than women, and paid better as a consequence. This trend culminates at the very top, with less than 4% of CEOs being women. Low pay combined with zero or low hours contracts, bogus self-employment and informal or undeclared work traps have been found to be widely gendered in their implementation and result in women facing long-term disadvantages in the labour market.

"There is also a marked gender difference in pension coverage in Ireland. Women are far less likely to be covered by occupational pensions than men and as such are reliant on a low level State pension."

She added: "It has been more than 40 years since equal pay legislation was passed in Ireland yet the workplace remains highly inequitable for women in 2017. That is why this Bill is so important and we are encouraging everybody, regardless of gender or political affiliation to join the rally outside Leinster House this evening to insist on equality and fairness at work for women."

(MH/CD)