Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
387. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on wage developments within the waste sector; when the review by his Department of the waste sector will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33502/14]
View answerI understand that there are approximately 100 registered domestic waste collection companies operating in Ireland and they employ 8,000 workers directly. The indirect labour figure (agency/contract) is less clear. Given the number of companies competing for business, the cost of service delivery is a deciding factor in winning customers and the industry is characterised by diversity in wage rates and energetic competition on labour rates between companies as part of the effort to compete on cost to the customer. In these circumstances, it is my understanding that many of the companies pay workers at or slightly above the National Minimum Wage.
Mindful that the need for proper compliance with legislation is in the workers and the wider public interest, I sought and received initial reports from the relevant Agencies under the aegis of my Department (The Health and Safety Authority, NERA, National Consumer Agency, Competition Authority, LRC) on the operation of the wider waste collection sector. These reports have been furnished and, when final reports are received, I intend to report to Government on the matter.
In this context, issues arising in relation to disputes around pay rates in the sector will also be considered.
