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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Minimum Wage.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

80 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the present value of the minimum wage for adult workers and for other categories; and the way in which this has changed since the first introduction of a minimum wage. [23056/02]

The national minimum wage was introduced in Ireland on 1 April 2000. At its introduction, the national minimum hourly rate of pay was set at £4.40, €5.59, per hour, which was the minimum rate to be paid to an experienced adult worker. Two increases to this rate were agreed by the social partners and accepted by Government as part of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The first of these increased the rate to £4.70, €5.97, per hour and was effective from 1 July 2001 and the second came into effect on 1 October 2002 increasing the rate to £5.00, €6.35, per hour. All employees aged 18 and over are entitled to be paid by their employer the national minimum hourly rate of pay in respect of the employee's working hours in any pay reference period, unless a sub-minimum rate of the national minimum hourly rate of pay applies in respect of that employee.

The following three tables show the rates which have applied since the introduction of the national minimum wage:

Table 1

Rates effective from 1 April, 2000

Employee

Minimum HourlyRate of Pay

Experienced adult worker

£4.40 p.w.h.*

Under age 18

£3.08 p.w.h.*

First year from date of first employment over age 18

£3.52 p.w.h.*

Second year from date of first employment over age 18

£3.96 p.w.h.*

In structured training or study over age 18, undertaken in normal working hours1st one third period2nd one third period3rd one third period

£3.30 p.w.h.*£3.52 p.w.h.*£3.96 p.w.h.*

NB. Each one third period must be at least one month and no longer than 12 months.
*Per working hour.
Table 2
Rates effective from 1 July, 2001

Employee

Minimum HourlyRate of Pay

Experienced adult worker

£4.70 (€5.97) p.w.h.*

Under age 18

£3.29 (€4.18) p.w.h.*

First year from date of first employment over age 18

£3.76 (€4.77) p.w.h.*

Second year from date of first employment over age 18

£4.23 (€5.37) p.w.h.*

In structured training or study over age 18, undertaken in normal working hours1st one third period2nd one third period3rd one third period

£3.53 (€4.48) p.w.h.*£3.76 (€4.77) p.w.h.*£4.23 (€5.37) p.w.h.*

NB. Each one third period must be at least one month and no longer than 12 months.
*Per working hour
Table 3
Rates effective from 1 October, 2002

Employee

Minimum HourlyRate of Pay

Experienced adult worker

€6.35 p.w.h.*

Under age 18

€4.45 p.w.h.*

First year from date of first employment over age 18

€5.08 p.w.h.*

Second year from date of first employment over age 18

€5.72 p.w.h.*

In structured training or study over age 18, undertaken in normal working hours1st one third period2nd one third period3rd one third period

€4.76 p.w.h.*€5.08 p.w.h.*€5.72 p.w.h.*

NB. Each one third period must be at least one month and no longer than 12 months.
*Per working hour.
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