Women earning more than men at Wicklow County Council, gender pay gap report reveals

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Wicklow County Council has published its Gender Pay Gap Report for 2025 for the average hourly wage of men and women across their workforce.

This marks the third year of reporting on the issue, following their first report issued in December 2022 in accordance with the Gender Pay Gap Information Act of 2021.

The report shows that on average, females are paid 1.5pc more than their male counterparts at the local authority. Additionally, the median rate of pay for females is 2.8pc higher than the median rate of pay for males.

The gender breakdown of all employees within Wicklow County Council on June 30, 2025 was 57pc male, 43pc female, with the chief executive Emer O’Gorman ensuring a female leader at the top of the tree.

Wicklow County Council has an elected body comprising of 32 elected members and employs a workforce of more than 900 employees, currently covering five Municipal Districts – Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Arklow and Baltinglass.

Although the majority of staff work full-time, around 27pc are part-time, with 52pc of these being male and 48pc being female.

The 2025 annual revenue budget for the local authority was approximately €168 million with the day-to-day running of the council the responsibility of the chief executive and the Executive Management Team.

The report notes that the gender pay gap figures do not represent equal pay. All employees of equal grade who work with Wicklow County Council are paid the same, regardless of gender.

The report identifies the percentage of the different genders in higher and lower paid grades, and it determines the mean and median gender pay gap.

Equal pay for like work is protected by employment equality legislation meaning all male and female employees in the local government sector are paid equally for work that is the same or similar or for work of equal value. The report therefore does not examine equal pay.

Rates of pay within the sector are agreed through national wage agreements, which are negotiated on a regular basis between employers and staff representatives.

Commenting following the publication of the report, Ms O’Gorman said the council remains committed to fostering and maintaining an open and inclusive workplace community.

“Our employees have equal opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably. We also operate several equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and supports.”