Inequality among worst in EU

IRISH women are being paid almost 20% less than men despite being better educated, a major report on gender equality across Europe has found.

This is despite the fact that more than half the jobs created in Ireland in the past five years have been filled by women, who are doing more than their share to drive the Celtic Tiger.

They are also among the most disadvantaged in the EU when it comes to childcare, they do an unfair share of the housework and are most at risk of poverty.