National Minimum Wage.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2007

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Ceisteanna (1714)

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

1794 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of staff in his Department currently earning the national minimum wage; the number of staff in his Department currently earning not more than €1 per hour more than the minimum wage; the number of staff in his Department’s agencies currently earning the national minimum wage; the number of staff in his Department’s agencies currently earning not more than €1 per hour more than the minimum wage; the number of staff who are employed by contractors to his Department currently earning the national minimum wage; the number employed by contractors of his Department currently earning not more than €1 per hour more than the minimum wage; the number of staff in his Department currently earning less than the national minimum wage, including those earning the sub-minimum wage as defined by sections 15 and 16 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000; the number of staff in his Department’s agencies currently earning less than the national minimum wage, including those earning the sub-minimum wage as defined by sections 15 and 16 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000; the number of staff who are employed by contractors to his Department currently earning less than the national minimum wage, including those earning the sub-minimum wage as defined by sections 15 and 16 of the National Minimum Wage Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43755/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche)

There are no staff serving in my Department, or in agencies under the aegis of my Department, earning the national minimum wage, less than the national minimum wage, or at a rate of one euro in excess of the national minimum wage. Supported work placements in the National Parks and Wildlife Services area of my Department are, however, provided for five individuals with special needs. The individuals concerned are paid at the minimum wage so as to ensure that they can still avail of their full disability allowance from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Full disability allowance is payable in such circumstances provided the individual concerned does not earn in excess of €120 per week from such a placement.

My Department does not have details in relation to payments made to individual employees of external contractors engaged by the Department. However, when tendering for such services, my Department requires that potential contractors are in compliance with the necessary statutory terms and conditions applicable to all workers in the State, including, where appropriate any Joint Labour Committee Agreements.