Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2015
74. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the discussions he or his Department have had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34902/15]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that my Department adheres to all appropriate current wage legislation and considers Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) Regulations information and the guidelines in relation to wages from the Joint Labour Committees with regard to dealings with suppliers or service contractors.
With regard to the agencies, organisations and bodies under the aegis of my Department I can confirm that the Valuation Office, the State Laboratory, the Institute of Public Administration, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of Public Works and the Special EU Programmes Body have had no discussions with suppliers/contractors regarding the application of the living wage to their own employees. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has advised that as part of the terms and conditions of any supplier or contractor procured by PAS they require that "the statutory terms which are applicable to all workers in Ireland, regardless of nationality, must be adhered to in all public contracts including the supply of labour". The Public Appointments Service has had no discussions in relation to employees of suppliers and contractors being paid the living wage.
