Skip to main content
Normal View

Living Wage

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Questions (1505)

Gino Kenny

Question:

1505. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many healthcare and social care workers are slipping into poverty as a result of low wages; his views on the contribution that these workers, many of whom are on the frontline have made during the Covid-19 pandemic; the steps that will be taken to address issue of low pay for workers in these sectors; the further steps that will be taken to ensure they have a living wage; his further views on the fact that low pay is forcing many to leave these sectors to seek alternative higher paid employment and the gap that is left in the sectors as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63442/21]

View answer

Written answers

Employees in the public health sector are paid in line with the Department of Health consolidated salary scales which are available to view online here:  

www.gov.ie/en/publication/b556a-application-of-1-october-2021-pay-adjustments/

All grades in the public health sector are paid in excess of the national minimum wage, and receive pay increases as set out in the public service agreements and associated Acts such as the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017.

Since 2016 there have been 12 separate pay increases to public health sector grades, with 9 of those applying specifically to lower paid public health sector grades as appropriate.  Further increases are planned for 2022.

Any calls in respect of increases in rates of remuneration cannot be addressed under the terms of the current public service agreement.

Rates of remuneration in the private health sector are a matter between the employer and the employee and are outside of my remit.

Top
Share