Vol. 526 No. 3
160 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the provisions of the national minimum wage apply to employees of An Óige who manage youth hostels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26428/00]
The National Minimum Wage Act, 2000, became law on 1 April 2000. The Act applies to all employees except the following categories of employees who are excluded from its provisions:
(i)close relative of the employer such as a spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother and sister;
(ii)apprentices within the meaning of the Industrial Training Act, 1967, and Labour Services Act, 1987 – other apprentices are covered.
Under the Act, an employee means a person of any age who has entered into or works or has worked under a contract of employment. A contract of employment means a contract of service or apprenticeship or any other contract whereby an individual agrees with another person to do or perform personally any work or service for that person or a third person – whether or not the third person is a party to the contract.
If a dispute exists as to the application of the Act the matter may be referred for investigation to a rights commissioner or to the labour inspectorate section of my Department in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Act. An explanatory booklet on the Act and clarification on any matter contained therein may be obtained by contacting the employment rights information unit of my Department at (01) 631 3131 or on Lo-call 1890 220222 where staff will be happy to assist.
