Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The recommendation made by the Low Pay Commission on the minimum wage was both fair and correct. Last year the commission took into account the impact of Brexit on particular Border counties and this was one the factors that led to its recommendation. The Government accepts the recommendation, which strikes a balance in terms of trying to rebuild the living standards of people whose wages are at and, more importantly, near the minimum wage. The actual numbers of people working on the minimum wage is now declining in our economy. What is particularly important about this decision, however, is that it will influence wage levels around the minimum wage as opposed to just at it. That is why this is a fair decision that takes account of economic and social issues.

With regard to Deputy Heydon's question on what further supports we want to bring in for the SME sector, I will answer this fully on the second Tuesday in October.

In response to the question on further supports that we want to introduce to support the SME sector, again, I will be able to answer that question fully on the second Tuesday of October. We already have a full range of business supports available to the SMEs from MicroFinance Ireland, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and grants that we make available to Enterprise Ireland. We have a full range of supports available.

Before I came to this meeting, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and I met clients of Enterprise Ireland and we spent a couple of hours engaging with them on Brexit. They took us through the concerns they now have for the future. This is a crucial issue that I will have to consider in light of the approaching budget.