The Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman has said a proposed referendum to replace the constitutional protection accorded to mothers working in the home will not take place this year.

The Government intends deleting the protection that mothers should not be forced to work outside the home out of economic necessity–a constitutional provision that was never given legislative force.

A November referendum had been promised by the Government earlier this year, following a recommendation from a Citizens’ Assembly on ‘gender equality’.

But speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics, Minister O’Gorman said: “I think it is most likely that it will be early next year.”

He said the Government is “close to the final wording” of two proposed amendments that would change the constitutional understanding of marriage, family, parenthood and and gender.

When the texts are finalised, a four-month lead-in time is envisaged to allow for a public information campaign.