Niall Collins
Question:595. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the large number of females on the national minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31867/16]
View answerTuesday, 25 October 2016
Questions (595)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Low Pay Commission submitted its second report on the national minimum wage in July and its recommendation that the minimum wage be increased by 10 cents an hour was accepted by Government on October 11th. On October 13th I signed the Order to effect the increase which will come into effect on 1st January next. (S.I. 516 of 2016).
In its report the Commission found that just over 74% of those workers earning the minimum wage are women.
The preponderance of women on the national minimum wage was also highlighted in the Commission's 2015 report. In order to obtain a better understanding of the composition and profile of this group and the underlying causality, the Low Pay Commission was asked, as part of its 2016 work programme, to examine this issue and report its views as to the underlying reasons for this position and make any recommendations it considers appropriate. The Commission is due to submit its report to me by end of this month.