Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
35. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is giving active consideration to equalising rates of the national minimum wage for young workers under 20 years of age. [43766/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Low Pay Commission (LPC) previously undertook a review of the sub-minima or ‘youth rates’ as part of its work programme and recommended, in 2017, abolishing the training rates and simplifying the youth rates by moving to age-related as opposed to experience-based rates. The LPC's recommendations were accepted by Government and were introduced as part of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018. The LPC commissioned research by the ESRI and consulted widely on this matter before making their recommendations.
Earlier this year I requested the LPC to again examine the issues around retaining or removing the youth rates and to make recommendations on the subject. To inform its work, the LPC has asked the ESRI to conduct background research on this issue under the terms of the LPC-ESRI Research Partnership Agreement.
The terms of reference for this study are currently being agreed between the LPC and the ESRI. The LPC’s report and recommendations on sub-minimum rates are expected during 2023.
While the issue of sub-minimum youth rates is being considered, the Government will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the LPC with regard to any future changes in the National Minimum Wage.
