Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. de Buitléir. My first question relates to responsibility. The commission's role is to advise the Minister, who has ultimate power. It would take a very brave Minister not to increase the minimum wage if that was the recommendation of the commission. If the commission had independent decision-making power, it would be difficult for the Government not to increase it, even though it may have adverse fiscal implications for the economy. I do not have any particular view, but what is Dr. de Buitléir's view with regard to the joint decision-making powers or the relationship between the Minister and the commission?

The 2013 annual report by the Department of Social Protection found that there was a 30% increase in the number of families availing of family income supplement.

The number of families availing of family income supplement has increased to 42,000, affecting 90,000 children. I would like to know the views of the witnesses on the family income supplement being used as a State subsidy to low-paying employers, who could pay their employers more.