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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Low pay and living wage report

Summary

Deputy Burton argued that exploited low-paid workers needed action, annual review of low pay, and publication of the long-promised report, ultimately asking when a living wage would be moved on. The Chair repeatedly curtailed the contribution and the Tánaiste referred the matter to the Minister for Social Protection.

On the same issue, when I was Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, I commissioned a report on the issue of people in low-paid employment who are being disguised as self-employed. This is not out of any choice of theirs; it is because it is their only way of getting employment. Many people are being exploited across a range of sectors, from the construction sector to the hospitality sector and tourism. This includes at times driving tour buses and delivering other hospitality elements. I am quite sure that this work, which was undertaken in great detail with approximately 23 submissions from the Department of Finance and the Department of Social Protection, is now gathering dust on a shelf somewhere while this issue fails to be resolved.

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I thank the Deputy; her time is up.

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Second, we also set up the commission to review low pay annually.

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We cannot have a debate on the issue.

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That report should have been published last week.

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A question, please.

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This matter now falls within the Tánaiste's remit. When will we move to a living wage-----

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Deputy, please-----

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-----which was agreed by the previous Government and which seems to have gone on the back burner? When will the Government publish the report?

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