Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
420. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the discussions her Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to her Department or to agencies of her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [24170/16]
View answerWhile, as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, I have no statutory role in relation to either the Living Wage or the National Minimum Wage, I am advised that my Department adheres to all relevant public procurement guidelines. I am also advised that suppliers and service contractors to my Department are required to confirm that they have taken account of their statutory and legal obligations relating to the employment protection and working conditions of their employees, in the provision of goods and services sought for my Department through the eTenders website.
The issue of procurement and services supply within the bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department is a day to day operational matter for the Executive and Board of the bodies themselves.
It is not possible to quantify the potential cost to suppliers to my Department or its Agencies of implementing any given wage rate, as the necessary data on the number of employees engaged on such activities and their wage rates are not available.
