Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hairdressing Industry.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

73 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the anomaly which exists in relation to the minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for workers employed in the hairdressing industry, whereby the employment regulation orders in place for this industry apply to workers employed in Cork and Dublin only; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that workers employed in hairdressing establishments outside Cork and Dublin are not covered by any employment regulation orders; the proposals, if any, she has to extend these orders nationwide; the basis on which this anomaly exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13785/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Miss Harney)

The employment regulation orders referred to by the Deputy are made by the Labour Court, following proposals submitted to it by the relevant joint labour committee, JLC.

There are two JLCs for hairdressing workers; one committee covers workers in the county and county borough of Dublin, the borough of Dún Laoghaire and the urban district of Bray; and the other committee covers workers in the Cork county borough. Each committee was established by the Labour Court following an inquiry into an application to establish such a committee. The court when establishing a JLC specifies the jurisdiction of the committee.

A decision on the extension of the jurisdiction of the JLCs, or establishment of a new committee, for hairdressing workers employed elsewhere in the State is a matter for the Labour Court in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, 1946 to 1990.

I do not, at present, have proposals to seek an extension of these committees, or the establishment of a new committee, for hairdressing workers on a nationwide basis. However, trade unions or other organisations claiming to represent hairdresssing workers may, if they so decide, make application to the Labour Court for the extension of the remit of the JLCs.

I am concerned that the wage levels for all workers, including those in the hairdressing sector, should be fair and reasonable. Accordingly, the programme for Government contains as a key priority, in promoting an inclusive society, the introduction of a national minimum hourly wage following early consultation with the social partners. I intend to bring proposals to Cabinet on this commitment at the earliest opportunity.