At a time when our nearest neighbour is experiencing economic stagnation, it is worth emphasising the importance of good political and economic leadership that has delivered, as of today, 2.5 million people at work. That is an increase of 700,000 since the economic crash and an increase of 150,000 since the onset of Covid. Will the Tánaiste indicate the progress being made on the development of a living wage to ensure quality work is enshrined in this strong growth? Is there a commitment that upskilling will become a feature of those at work and not just those who are leaving education?

The programme for Government commits us to move towards a living wage in Ireland over the period of this Government. I have the report of the Low Pay Commission in this regard, which sets out a roadmap as to how we can achieve that. I intend to bring those proposals to Government before the summer recess and then engage on a public consultation on them. It is to be hoped we will make an announcement on that in the next few weeks.

It is a separate matter, but I very much agree with the Deputy on upskilling. We will talk to him some more about that because certainly the message from around the world, and from industry, is we need to make lifelong learning the norm so that people in work are continuously upskilled and are able to move up the ladder in respect of skills and pay.

I will also raise the issue of the living wage. I understand the Low Pay Commission has completed its report and the Tánaiste has had it since March. The Tánaiste said he would engage in consultation over the summer months but when will the report be published, which we signed on to, so we can also read it? As he is aware, it is a commitment in the programme for Government and is something we want to do. Last time I spoke to the Tánaiste, he told me to speak to my colleagues in the North, which I did. Sinn Féin, in government in the North, has introduced the living wage for public sector jobs and contracts. I hope we will be included in consultations on the Government's proposals for the living wage. Will the Tánaiste tell us when the Low Pay Commission report will be published?

My plan is to bring it to Government in June. With its approval, I will publish the report and the research that backs it up, and also initiate a public consultation on it with a view to beginning to make it a reality in 2023.