Minimum wage and Brexit link
Deputy Quinlivan objected to the absence of a clear minimum wage commitment in the budget and worried the Government might reverse the Low Pay Commission recommendation. The Tánaiste said there was no disagreement, the recommendation was accepted, and it was conditional on a Brexit deal.
Page 40 of the programme for Government talks about reducing poverty levels by supporting an increase in the minimum wage to €10.50 per hour over the next five years. It states that the Government will rely on the annual recommendation of the Low Pay Commission regarding the level of adjustment every year. There was no mention of the minimum wage in the contributions of either the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance to the budget. I understand that this is the first time that a recommendation by the Low Pay Commission has not been accepted by Government. This has come as a terrible blow and shock to the 137,000 people on the minimum wage and their families who are struggling. The Low Pay Commission does not allude or refer to the words "delay" or "defer". It recommends that the Government increase the minimum wage by €0.30.
It says quite clearly that the Government is hiding behind the issue of Brexit. The commission acknowledges that in the event of a hard Brexit, the Government may need to review the recommended rate, but that it should still implement the 30 cent increase. Will the Tánaiste agree to raise it as requested?
Comment on this
There is no difference in view between the commission's recommendation and the Government's decision. We accept that decision but the commission has made it clear that the recommended increase is subject to achieving a Brexit deal. The Government has supported that recommendation this week.
Comment on this
That is not what it is saying; it is saying the Government might repeal it afterwards.