The Government has announced the launch of a public consultation on tackling the gender pay gap.

EU figures suggest the pay gap between men and women in Ireland is 13.9% - below the EU average, but higher than 10 other countries in the bloc.

Members of the public - as well as trade unions, employers and educational institutions - will be able to make their submissions on tackling the gap from next Monday (August 14th).

Submissions will stay open for six weeks.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said the process marks the first steps in "making the gender pay gap a thing of the past".

Minister Flanagan explained: "We need to have a clearer understanding of the factors underpinning the pay gap so that Government action can be properly tailored towards tackling this issue effectively.

"Narrowing the pay gap is in all our interests. We need to draw on the talents of our people to help us to steer a careful course through the challenges ahead."

Equality Minister David Stanton added that addressing the pay gap will bring "concrete benefits" to families across the country.

He suggested: "Fewer women will run the risk of poverty, particularly in their old age. Families will have more income to address day-to-day bills.

"Children will learn the important message that they can expect to be treated fairly in the workplace, regardless of their gender."