Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2016
901. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions his Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or to agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1368/16]
View answerAs I have previously advised the Deputy, the Minister of State for Business and Employment at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation hosted a forum on the Living Wage in Dublin Castle on 30 September 2015. At this forum, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection signalled that her Department would fund the next stage of examining the process which involves setting up a working group and I understand that this remains the position at this time.
Neither I, nor my Department, have had any discussions with suppliers or contractors to date as the living wage is a voluntary concept at this time.
