The Deputy has raised a number of issues. First, the problem was described by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as one of low pay. I could get involved in an argument over the exact figures but I think Mr. John Blackwell and Mr. Brian Nolan have done a very good job while the conference, which the Combat Poverty Agency and the ICTU helped to organise, highlighted the need to tackle the problem of low pay. Early school leavers can be assisted by organising education programmes and providing them with training and work experience in disadvantaged areas. FÁS, CERT and community workshop training programmes could also be organised. We also need to consider how we may broaden the opportunities for women to improve their position in the labour market. In relation to older unemployed people, numerous programmes have been organised to assist them.
As I have pointed out at several trade union annual conferences this year we have to consider the categories of workers who are on low pay, such as unskilled manual workers, check-out workers, shelf-fillers and clerical staff in low grades. Other major factors are a person's age, length of service and work experience. As the Deputy is aware, various programmes have been organised within the Civil Service, the public service and the private sector to try to assist those people.
The Deputy's final question is whether a statutory minimum wage provides the solution to the problem but, as the Deputy is aware, I am of the view that restructured and expanded joint labour committees offer a better solution. The workshop at this conference came to the conclusion that if we wish to eliminate low pay we need to increase productivity and market share. They also came to the conclusion, as I had done, that if we were to try to introduce a statutory minimum wage we would put people in employment under great stress and difficulty, with the result that rather than creating well paid jobs we would eliminate employment instead.
Finally, let me repeat something I have said several times, that the questions of taxation, social welfare and social services are equally important. In granting exemptions in the taxation area and taking the other initiatives announced in the budget, including the one on family income supplement, the Government have done a great deal in trying to assist those on low pay. As the Minister for Finance indicated in his Budget Statement that only marked the beginning.
