Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Minimum Wage.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

83 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the impact, if any, the payment of the national minimum wage will have on his Department; the number of staff working for his Department or any agency associated with his Department who will need to receive an increased wage as a result of its introduction; the full cost of its introduction in his Department; the sectors and persons and categories of employees who will be receiving it when it is introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7152/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The lowest rate of pay generally applicable to full-time health service employees is the group I rate, which falls into the category of general support services. The first point on this scale will equate to £6.20 per hour from 1 April 2000.

There are, however, in the region of 12,000 part-time home helps, the majority of whom are currently paid less than £4.40 per hour. Most home helps are employed by voluntary organisations rather than by health boards. My Department has provided additional funding of £10.4 million this year in order to provide for improved pay, including a provision for the payment of the national minimum wage.