A new study by the Economic and Social Research Institute shows that despite huge growth in women's participation in the labour force, women still do the bulk of unpaid work at home.
The ESRI's research was carried out on behalf of the Equality Authority, which says state policies need to change to so that men can do more unpaid housework, including looking after children.
The findings are published today in a report called Gender Inequalities in Time Use.
Women do 39 minutes a day more work than men, the report shows. This amounts to a month a year. Today's report discusses whether the rise in women's labour market participation means they have effectively taken on a 'second shift'.
37% of paid work now is now being done by women, yet they still do 72% of unpaid work like house work and caring for younger and older family members.
The Equality Authority says this paints a depressing picture. It says current statutory leave entitlements should be reviewed so men can be more involved at home - things like paid paternity leave, and paid parental leave need to be introduced so men can more easily use their entitlements.
The National Women's Council says this would change attitudes to men's and women's place in the home.
