Politics of Gender Equality: What shapes work-family policy-making in Ireland?

What impedes progress on gender equality? Governments can use work-family policies to shape gender inequalities in work and caregiving. The effects of such policies often hinge on governments’ ideologies, the strength of women’s movements, and power relations among politicians, bureaucrats, and experts (Htun and Weldon 2018). The EU also wields influence in promoting gender equality through directives on work-life balance and others. Conversely, the neoliberal economy, characterized by increasing labor market flexibilities and precarity, encourages the commodification of work and caregiving. This study examines how policy actors have influenced work-family policies in Ireland over the past decade. Ireland is often overlooked in welfare state analyses due to its similarities with the United Kingdom. Still, it presents a unique mix of influences—from the Catholic Church and liberalism to social partnerships and a robust economy—that warrant independent examination. These elements, present across the EU, make Ireland a compelling case for understanding the influences of diverse actors on work-family policies. Despite Ireland’s expansion of work-family policies, these policies remain profoundly gendered. Maternity leave spans 42 weeks, while paternity leave is only 2 weeks. These leaves, including the recently introduced 7-week parental leave, are compensated at low flat-rates. There is no public childcare, and state subsidies cover only a small fraction of costs, making childcare the most expensive in the OECD. While women’s labor force participation has reached 70% for mothers in 2019, roughly one-third work part-time (Doorley et al. 2023). Why have Ireland’s work-family policy reforms remained incremental and gender-biased despite its expanded fiscal capacity and efforts to improve women’s employment? Which actors invoke what frames in work-family policy implementation? This study answers these questions by combining document analysis with qualitative interviews. First, we will examine political actors and their influence on policy through secondary literature analysis, including government and civil society reports, and newspaper articles. Second, we will interview feminist scholars and activists, government officials, and politicians to understand the frames they use to justify their positions. By focusing on Ireland, we will offer novel theoretical insights into the drivers and obstacles of policy change towards gender equality.