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Wednesday, 20 Jul 2016

Written Answers Nos. 53-68

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Questions (53)

Mick Wallace

Question:

53. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that the precautionary principle, which the EU currently applies as part of its obligations under the Lisbon treaty, will be preserved under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22537/16]

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Written answers

The proposed EU-US free trade agreement is one of a number of new style trade agreements the EU is negotiating that not only covers tariffs, services and investment but also includes regulatory coherence and cooperation. An agreement would be the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment deal, and a successful conclusion is expected to benefit Ireland more than any other EU Member State. Ireland’s enterprises are particularly well placed to take up opportunities to trade more easily with the US. Studies have shown that the benefits to Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. Ireland strongly supports these negotiations and is working to ensure that our interests are fully reflected in the texts of the negotiations.

Regulatory cooperation is about cutting the costs for EU and US companies of complying with each other's rules and regulations, for example where there is unnecessary duplication. For example in the case of the EU Canada Agreement both sides have agreed to recognise each other’s conformity assessment certificates for electrical goods, electronic and radio equipment, toys and machinery. This will not lead to any lowering of standards or deregulation on either side of the Atlantic. The Commission has made it clear that basic laws and principles of the EU, including the precautionary principle enshrined in Article 191 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), will not be affected by the negotiations. As you may be aware, the precautionary principle is a risk management measure whereby if there is the possibility that a policy or action might cause harm to the public or the environment, the policy or action in question should not be pursued. Neither the interpretation nor the application of the precautionary principle will be put in question by this or any other trade negotiation.

The Deputy will be aware that the different negotiating positions can be viewed in the Reading Room in my Department.

Zero-hour Contracts

Questions (54)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

54. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to implement in full the recommendations of the University of Limerick study on the prevalence of zero-hour contracts among Irish employers and their impact on employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22544/16]

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Written answers

I am committed to bringing forward an appropriate policy response to the University of Limerick (UL) study on Zero Hour Contracts and Low Hour Contracts report for consideration by Government later this year.

The study found that zero hour contracts as defined within current Irish employment rights legislation are not extensively used in Ireland. It found low working hours can arise in different forms in employment contracts. The UL report made a range of recommendations relating to contracts, hours of work and notice, minimum hours, how contracted hours should be determined, collective agreements, data gathering and wider contextual issues.

The policy response will be informed by the UL study itself and also the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department. In this respect some 48 submissions were received which contained a broad range of views for and against the findings and recommendations made by UL.

The policy response will address the concerns expressed in the UL study and in the public consultation about the issue of workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours. The proposals will also seek to ensure that workers are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms and conditions at an early stage in their employment. Furthermore the proposals will include provisions aimed particularly at low paid, more vulnerable workers. In developing a policy response, my overriding concern is to find balanced and workable solutions to the several issues raised in the UL report.

Unemployment Levels

Questions (55)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

55. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to address the high levels of unemployment in the north west; and if she is aware that almost 120,000 persons in rural Ireland are still without jobs. [22550/16]

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Written answers

The unemployment rate for the Border region, which encompasses the North West, has fallen from a peak of 15.6% in Q1 2013 to 8.6% in early 2016 – marginally above the State average of 8.4%. Whilst numbers are decreasing we still have a body of work to do for regional and rural Ireland.

The North East/ North West Action Plan for Jobs aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs to Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Louth, Monaghan, and Cavan by 2020.

Key targets in service of this goal include a 30 - 40% increase in IDA investments up to 2019; and an increase of 300 to 500 in numbers of Údarás na Gaeltachta supported jobs in the North West. Sectors targeted include traditionally strong sectors like agrifood, manufacturing/engineering and tourism, as well as future growth areas such as digital payments, cleantech and creative services.

Key actions to be delivered over 2015-2017 include a new IDA Advanced Building Solution in Sligo; the establishment of a North West Regional Skills Forum to ensure the flow of critical skills to local enterprises; collaboration between the Enterprise Agencies, ETBs and Institutes of Technology to develop a marketing proposition around the Insurance and Technical Services cluster in the North West; and a Regional Innovation Forum for the North East/North West region to support more companies to innovate and engage in R&D.

In some regions employment growth has been slower than in others. The Regional Action Plan process is about addressing that imbalance. While 120,000 is still too high, unemployment has fallen in all eight regions in the year to Q1 2016. In this regard, it is important to record that, in 2015, almost two-thirds of the 21,118 new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland companies were outside Dublin. Also in 2015, of the record 187,056 employed in IDA companies, 59% were employed outside Dublin.

Employment Rights

Questions (56)

Bríd Smith

Question:

56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is concerned about the increasing number of workers being asked by employers to sign contracts which designate them as self-employed and not as employees who have statutory rights. [22764/16]

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Written answers

Cases of so called bogus self-employment have serious implications from an employment rights perspective. In this respect it is important that individuals are correctly designated as regards employment status, so that those who ought to be designated as employees are not deprived of employment rights. This is particularly the case for vulnerable workers who may not feel in a position to object to certain arrangements.

Ireland has a well-resourced and proactive labour inspectorate, which now forms part of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and there are already existing mechanisms in place to tackle this issue. Inspections are undertaken on the basis of risk analysis which identifies certain sectors, as a result of complaints received and on a routine basis. Where the WRC inspection service receive complaints in relation to bogus self-employment or bogus sub-contracting, they are forwarded to the Revenue Commissioners and/or the Department of Social Protection (Scope Section) for investigation either solely by the recipient, or jointly with the Workplace Relations Commission.

In most cases it will be clear whether an individual is employed or self-employed. Where there is doubt in relation to the employment status of an individual the relevant Departments and Agencies will have regard to the Code of Practice for Determining Employment or Self-Employment Status of Individuals. This Code was drawn up and agreed in 2007 by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers Federation.

I would urge the Deputy, if she has any knowledge or evidence of this practice, to bring it to the attention of the Workplace Relations Commission for investigation and appropriate action.

The Deputy might also be aware that the Department of Finance and Department of Social Protection have recently conducted a joint public consultation on the "Use of Intermediary-Type Structures and Self-Employment Arrangements. While this review arises from possible losses to the Exchequer that can arise from such practices, clearly there is a convergence of interests between minimising such losses and the protection of employment rights for the workers concerned.

Job Creation

Questions (57)

Peter Burke

Question:

57. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the opportunities which could be realised in Mullingar with regard to employment for the region considering her recent visit to the IDA business park in Mullingar and the job losses in the town. [22546/16]

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Written answers

There are 16 IDA Ireland client companies currently in Westmeath, employing approximately 2,300 people. In 2015, 212 new foreign direct investment (FDI) jobs were created in the county. IDA Ireland actively engages with its existing client base in Westmeath which has, as the above statistics reflect, performed consistently in recent years. A good example of positive investment into the county was the announcement last year by Patterson Pump Ireland of a 30-person expansion at its manufacturing facility there.

There is clearly, however, potential for further investment and job creation by multinational companies in Westmeath. Last month I visited Mullingar where I met the local Chamber of Commerce and visited the IDA Business Park. This allowed me to see, first-hand, what the County has to offer to investors. The IDA will continue to work to highlight the advantages of Westmeath to multi-national companies considering investing in the region or Ireland as a whole. I know certainty that you Deputy Burke and Senator McFadden will keep up the pressure for investments. I enjoyed meeting the Mergon Group last month.

I very much regret the jobs losses that have arisen as a result of the closure of Imperial Tobacco. I have asked both the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to redouble their efforts to find a replacement investment. More broadly, regional development is a key priority of mine and I am determined to see increased job creation across Ireland, especially in areas affected by recent company closures.

Employment Rights

Questions (58)

Bríd Smith

Question:

58. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she will take to ensure that any employer in receipt of contracts from the State for the provision of certain services is compliant with the labour laws of the country which afford protections to workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22766/16]

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Written answers

Employers are awarded contracts from the State through what is known as public procurement. There are strict rules governing public procurement, responsibility for which rests with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Paschal Donohoe T.D. I understand from Minister Donohoe that under the current public procurement regime there are standard forms of contract for public procurement contracts which include requirements for compliance with legal obligations under labour legislation. For example, clause 2 of the standard form of the public works contract requires the contractor and his or her personnel and subcontractors to comply with all legal requirements.

Contractors are required to submit ongoing certification under clause 5.3 of the contract, which deals with pay and conditions of employment, to show that they have complied in full with the requirements of that clause, which covers aspects such as compliance with employment law and deductions for social welfare. Contractors are also required under this clause to maintain records and timesheets in respect of all those engaged on the works.

I have responsibility for employment rights issues generally. Employment law and its enforcement apply equally to public and private sector contracts. Ireland has a well-resourced and proactive labour inspectorate, which now forms part of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC undertakes inspections on the basis of risk analysis which identifies certain sectors, as a result of complaints received and on a routine basis.

It is important that any person with questions or complaints regarding their rights under employment law should contact Workplace Relations Customer Service on lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or at www.workplacerelations.ie

Job Creation Targets

Questions (59)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which her Department has achieved the various targets in respect of job creation in the manufacturing and services sectors over the past five years; the degree to which she expects to meet any further targets in this regard in the short and medium term; if any particular issue has been identified as deemed to be positive or otherwise in the pursuit of job creation in respect of all age groups, including the long term and young unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22776/16]

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Written answers

The Action Plan for Jobs is one of the Government's key instruments to support job creation. Since the launch of the first Plan in 2012, 155,000 more people are in employment in all manufacturing and services sectors. The Programme for a Partnership Government sets our ambition to help create 200,000 additional jobs by 2020. 135,000 of these jobs are to be outside Dublin. We also want to reduce unemployment to 6%. Our target this year is to add 50,000 new jobs.

We have made a good start. Over 15,000 new jobs were created in the first three months of 2016.

This Government is placing a particular priority on youth and long term unemployed through Pathways to Work. In June this year, the rate of youth unemployment was 15%, down from 21% in 2015. The number of long term unemployed declined by 27,000 in the last year.

Sustaining the progress achieved to date will be challenging. The UK Referendum on leaving the EU will impact the competitiveness of some manufacturers and services businesses. We will need to remain vigilant on our overall cost base. We will continue to develop initiatives to ensure the unemployed and young have the skills needed to access new job opportunities. My Department and the development agencies will be stepping up our efforts to promote trade and investment in the euro area and other growth markets.

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Questions (60)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

60. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans regarding the ratification of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22780/16]

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Written answers

On 5 July 2016, the Commission published its proposals for signature, conclusion and provisional application of CETA, which are available on the EU Commission’s website (www.trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1524). Given the position taken by Ireland and other Member States, I note that the Commission has now decided to submit CETA to the Council for decision as a mixed agreement.

It will be a matter for the Council and the European Parliament to decide on the signature and provisional application of CETA. Following a decision by the Council with the consent of the Parliament, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA. Its full entering into force will be subject to the conclusion by the EU, through a Council decision with the consent of the Parliament, and by all Member States through the relevant national ratification procedures. This means that the Oireachtas will be part of the final decision to ratify the agreement. The process will require that I as Minister move a motion in the Dail to ratify the agreement and there will be a vote.

Export Controls

Questions (61)

Clare Daly

Question:

61. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the value of licences issued in 2015 for the export of military list products to Israel; and if she will suspend military export licences to Israel. [22548/16]

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Written answers

I can confirm that my Department did not issue any licences for the export of military list items to Israel in 2015.

All export licence applications are considered having regard to EU sanctions. There are currently no sanctions in place in relation to Israel.

Should an application for a licence for the export of military list items to Israel be received, it would be considered against the EU Common Position on the assessment of military export licences. Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment sets out common criteria against which applications for exports of military goods should be assessed.

My Department also consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on all military licence applications, including those involving Israel.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Questions (62)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

62. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her concerns about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership undermining the European Union's climate change policy in view of most recent leaks reported in the media (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22781/16]

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Written answers

On 14 July 2016, the EU Commission published its textual proposal on provisions for the climate change aspects of the TTIP trade and sustainable development chapter. The proposal is available on the EU Commissions website (www.trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/july/tradoc_154800.pdf).

Encouraging green innovation & trade in green technologies are two key areas of the chapter. The proposal emphasises the end goal of progressively phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption. It also promotes the development of cost-effective, clean, safe, secure and sustainable low-emission technologies, energy-efficient solutions, and renewable energy sources; sustainable transport and sustainable urban infrastructure development; addressing deforestation and forest degradation; emissions monitoring; and market and non-market mechanisms.

The EU Commission tabled the proposal for discussion with the US during last week’s negotiating round in Brussels. I welcome any detailed views and analysis the Deputy may have in relation to this proposal, in due course.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Questions (63)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

63. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to report on the possible impact of the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership negotiations on Irish businesses and jobs and the possible additional impact of Brexit on these negotiations; if the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership can be paused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22542/16]

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Written answers

The EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement will be the world’s largest bilateral trade and investment deal, and a successful pact is expected to benefit Ireland more than any other EU Member State. It is very important to Ireland as it will build on our already rewarding economic relationship with the US and create new opportunities to stimulate growth, create employment and continue to grow our economy.

Given our historic economic and cultural ties, Ireland’s enterprises are particularly well placed to take up opportunities to trade more easily with the US. The study estimates that the benefits in Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. It suggests a boost to GDP of 1.1%, growth in Irish exports of almost 4%, increases in investment of 1.5%, and an increase in real wages of 1.5%. It estimates somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 additional export related jobs. The findings are backed up in a recent comprehensive interim independent report contracted by the EU Commission, carried out by Ecorys Consultancy and published on 13 May 2016. The report estimates that a comprehensive agreement would boost Irish GDP by 1.4%.

The Deputy will be aware that the UK decision will not take effect for some time and that the precise implications of the referendum result will now depend on the period of negotiation ahead, involving the UK and our EU partners.

IDA Ireland Supports

Questions (64)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

64. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, with IDA Ireland, she will change the manner in which IDA Ireland manages Tipperary, as south Tipperary is with the south-east division and north Tipperary is with the mid-west division, which results in Tipperary being neglected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22762/16]

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Written answers

IDA Ireland markets Co. Tipperary is in accordance with the regionalisation arrangements negotiated by Government for EUROSTAT and EU Structural Funds purposes. The geographic remit of the regions is defined by the Local Government Acts of 1991 and 2001. This arrangement places Tipperary South as part of the South East Region and Tipperary North as part of the Mid-West Region.

There has been substantial achievement in securing new investment projects for the Mid-West Region over the past 18 months. One of the most recently announced investments in 2016 was First Data in Nenagh, with the creation of 300 jobs. 12 IDA supported companies employed a total of 3,518 jobs in County Tipperary and 95 of these jobs were created last year.

IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits across Tipperary have been increasing. There were three site visits to the county during 2014, with a further 12 in 2015. There were four site visits in the first quarter of 2016, which is the latest data available. While the IDA does attempt to influence the choice of location, the final decision as to where to visit and ultimately locate is taken in all cases by the client company.

The Government published eight Regional Action Plans for Jobs under the wider Action Plan for Jobs process. The South East and Mid-West Plans apply to Tipperary. The Plans identify a range of actions aimed at supporting each region to achieve its economic potential and raise employment levels.

Tourism Industry

Questions (65)

Niall Collins

Question:

65. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures she is taking to ensure there are sufficient numbers of skilled employees in the hospitality and tourism industry to secure ongoing expansion and employment in these sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22783/16]

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Written answers

Reflecting the importance of the Hospitality sector to the economy, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) completed a review of the future skill needs of the sector, entitled 'Assessment of Future Skills Requirements in the Hospitality Sector in Ireland, 2014-2020' which was published in November 2015.

A National Oversight and Advisory Group has been established and met on several occasions to drive the implementation of the reports’ recommendations. It comprises the Departments of Education and Skills, Social Protection and my Department, SOLAS, Higher Education Authority, Fáilte Ireland, Education and Training Boards, Irish Hotel Federation, Restaurant Association of Ireland, Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Association of Ireland.

Progress is being made on several of the recommendations of the report, which are well under way. These include the introduction of five new Apprenticeships run in collaboration with the Irish Hotel Federation and the Restaurant Association of Ireland. Several new Hospitality traineeships for jobseekers are being piloted by ETBs. The Irish Hotel Federation has launched a communication campaign to attract more people into the Industry. A Transition Year module on careers in the Hospitality and Tourism sector for second level students has been developed by the Irish Hospitality Institute. In the last month, around 200 Springboard + Hospitality training places for job seekers have been approved. At the end of 2015, Fáilte Ireland launched an initiative for job seekers in hospitality skills training. There are several Skillnets training programmes being run for persons seeking a career in Tourism and Hospitality.

Economic Data

Questions (66)

Bríd Smith

Question:

66. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is aware of a recent report that describes Ireland as a low wage economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22765/16]

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Written answers

I am aware of a Report by Unite the Union which describes Ireland as a low wage economy.

The report relies on the EUROSTAT definition of low pay as ‘earning less than two-thirds of the median wage’. By this measure Ireland has a relatively large proportion of wage earners who would be classified as low paid, ahead of the UK and Portugal. This is confirmed by recent research from Logue and Callan (ESRI, 2016), which indicates that, for Ireland, while the median wage increased between 2005 and 2013, the proportion of low wage employees was broadly stable for 2005, 2008 and 2010 at 20%, although it increased to 23% in 2013.

However, under this EUROSTAT definition, the threshold for low pay is set relative to the level of earnings in an individual country, rather than to the absolute value of the wage itself. Thus, a person earning €10 per hour in a country where the median wages are €16 per hour would be deemed to be low paid, whereas a person earning €8 per hour in a country where the median wages are €12 per hour would not be deemed to be low paid.

Ireland’s mean hourly earnings are, in fact, the second highest in the EU after Denmark (EUROSTAT, 2014). In fact, the mean hourly earnings in 12 of the 21 EU countries for which EUROSTAT provides data are below, and in many cases significantly below, the low pay benchmark for Ireland. In practical terms, for example, an employee in Ireland, where the median earnings are €16.43 per hour (see LPC Report 2016, based on EU SILC data for 2014 – latest available) who earns €10.90 per hour (or €22,100 per year) would be deemed to be low-paid, whereas an employee in a country with median earnings of €12 per hour who earns only €8.10 per hour (or €16,400 per year) would not be considered to be low-paid.

The authors of the ESRI paper point out, also, that Irish wage rates are among the highest in the EU on a purchasing power parity basis (EUROSTAT, 2015). This would appear to be in contradiction with what the Unite report says on this issue.

Company Closures

Questions (67)

Niall Collins

Question:

67. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of her Department’s investigations and follow up following the closure of a company (details supplied); if all employment and company provisions were complied with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22782/16]

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Written answers

The closure of Clerys department store and the manner in which Clerys workers lost their jobs was totally unacceptable and should not happen again.

A number of actions were initiated as part of the Government’s response to the closure of Clerys. This included the Duffy/Cahill expert examination of legal protections for workers. The Duffy/Cahill report provides a comprehensive analysis of the relevant provisions of employment law and company law. It makes a number of proposals for reform of the law, which are primarily concerned with amendments to employment law. My Department conducted a Public Consultation on the report following its publication on 26 April. The submissions received in response to the consultation are important in terms of assessing how the suggested reforms could operate in practice and in identifying any unintended consequences. They will inform the response to the report which will be brought forward for consideration by Government.

In addition, the Company Law Review Group was asked to review company law. This was with a view to recommending ways company law could be potentially amended to ensure better safeguards for employees and unsecured creditors. The work of the Company Law Review Group is progressing in this regard.

Separately, authorised officers have sought information from a number of parties in relation to the collective redundancies that took place in OCS Operations Limited on 12 June 2015. The work of the authorised officers relates to the application of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 to the collective redundancies in question. Prosecutions, if appropriate, remain an option under the Act.

The Deputy may be aware that one of the parties from whom the authorised officers sought information initiated proceedings in the High Court challenging the powers of the authorised officers. The hearing of submissions in the case concluded last week and judgement was reserved to a future, unspecified date. As the matter remains before the courts it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further.

With regard to compliance with company law, this is ultimately a matter for the court to decide in any particular case before it.

Living Wage Implementation

Questions (68)

Gino Kenny

Question:

68. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce a living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18801/16]

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Written answers

The Living Wage concept is grounded in the idea that a person’s wage should be sufficient to maintain a safe, decent standard of living. At an individual level the resources required to achieve a minimum essential standard of living is very dependent on family circumstances and thus the interaction of individual earnings with household income and State-provided supports such as Child Benefit, Family Income Supplement as well as supports available in relation to housing, education and health all contribute to an individual’s standard of living.

It is important that Ireland’s statutory National Minimum Wage and the Living Wage concept are not conflated. The Living Wage is a voluntary societal initiative centred on the social, business and economic case to ensure that, wherever it can be afforded, employers will pay a rate of pay that provides an income that is sufficient to meet an individual’s basic needs, such as housing, food, clothing, transport and healthcare. The Living Wage is voluntary and has no legislative basis and is therefore not a statutory entitlement. It is different to the National Minimum Wage which is a statutory entitlement and has a legislative basis.

The Low Pay Commission was established last year and its primary function is to, on an annual basis, examine and make recommendations on the national minimum wage, with a view to securing that the national minimum wage, where adjusted, is adjusted incrementally over time having had regard to changes in earnings, productivity, overall competitiveness and the likely impact any adjustment will have on employment and unemployment levels. The Commission presented its first report in July 2015 in which it recommended an increase of 50 cents per hour to the minimum hourly rate bringing it to €9.15. That increase, which was accepted by Government, came into effect on 1st January last.

The Commission presented its second report before the statutory deadline of 19th July 2016, which, in line with the practice established last year, is provided to Government and published immediately thereafter.

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