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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Minimum Wage.

Noel Ahern

Question:

138 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of complaints received with regard to increased prices since the minimum wage legislation came into effect; the discussions, if any, she had with IBEC in this regard; if many businesses are using or abusing the opportunity to increase prices; the action, if any, she can take against a company (details supplied) which has reportedly increased costs because of the introduction of minimum wage legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12113/00]

My Department does not gather or maintain any general information on prices. I am not aware of any particular complaints regarding increased prices arising directly from the introduction of the national minimum wage on 1 April 2000. Since 1986 it has been the policy of successive Governments to promote greater competition and consumer choice through, among other things, the mechanism of greater price transparency rather than through statutory price control.

I have had no discussions with IBEC on this issue and am not aware of any companies using the introduction of the national minimum wage to increase prices. It is a matter for each individual company to decide what prices to charge.

I am pleased that I was able to honour the Government's commitment to introduce a national minimum wage which, it is estimated by the ESRI, will benefit 163,000 employees. The ESRI estimated that the direct effect of the national minimum wage on consumer prices will be less than 1% in the long run.

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