Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2021
158. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the progress of the Programme for Government commitment to progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60756/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, earlier this year I asked the Low Pay Commission to examine the programme for Government commitment to progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government and to make recommendations on the best approach to achieving this commitment.
The Low Pay Commission commissioned a team of researchers at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (NUIM) to conduct supporting research on the living wage. Terms of Reference for this research were noted by Cabinet earlier this year. The Commission expects to receive this research before year-end.
Informed by this supporting research, the Commission intends to provide a report to me on the issues surrounding the progression to a living wage early in 2022.
The report will consider the policy, social and economic implications of a move to a living wage and the process by which Ireland could progress towards it. It will do this by looking at international evidence on living wages, examining different calculation methods, examining the policy implications and outlining options for moving to a living wage in Ireland.
I look forward to receiving the Low Pay Commission’s report and I hope to then bring proposals to Cabinet in the New Year.
