Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will pick up on the ability to pay discussion. Mr. Courtney from the Low Pay Commission spoke earlier about the range of factors the commission has to consider when making its recommendation. I note the report states that the Low Pay Commission has previously recommended that data on firm output to profitability be made available to help monitor the impact of the changes in the minimum wage on firms and workers. What progress has the commission made on accessing those data on profitability and operating costs? To what extent are those data a feature in its calculations? Overall, how important is profitability when the commission is assessing what the minimum wage should be for the following year?