Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016
133. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the preponderance of women in low-pay employment following the recent article by Nevin Economic Research Institute on the subject in its quarterly economic publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5262/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaking work pay continues to be a cornerstone of this Government’s agenda and the establishment of the Low Pay Commission on a statutory basis in July last reflected this priority. The Commission’s main function is to, on an annual basis, examine and make recommendations on the national minimum wage, with a view to securing that the national minimum wage, where adjusted, is adjusted incrementally over time having had regard to changes in earnings, productivity, overall competitiveness and the likely impact any adjustment will have on employment and unemployment levels. The Commission presented its first report to me in July 2015 in which it recommended an increase of 50 cents per hour to the minimum hourly rate bringing it to €9.15. That increase, which was accepted by Government, came into effect on 1 January last.
Alongside examining the national minimum wage, the Low Pay Commission can also be tasked with examining matters related generally to the functions of the Commission under the Act. Given the preponderance of women on the national minimum wage, as identified in the Commission’s July report, I asked the Commission to examine this issue and report its views as to the underlying reasons for this position, and to make any recommendations it considers appropriate. This will allow the development of a better understanding of the composition and profile of this group and any underlying causality. I welcome the research by the Nevin Economic Research Institute in this area, as it begins to identify some of the issues and concerns, and I have no doubt that the Low Pay Commission will also consider that work in the context of its own research and deliberations.
I expect the Commission’s Report on this matter to be presented by the end of October, 2016.
