Linda Nelson Murray (Fine Gael)

I am sorry I am late, but I am also attending a meeting of the education committee meeting at the same time. I represent small businesses. I was born and raised in a small business background. I have a small business. I do not think I have ever met an employer who does not want to look after his or her staff. We are all very considerate of them. When you have good staff, you will do anything to hang onto them. It is hard to get the really good ones. You see some mammies coming in with CVs and you want to tell them to go out and get their sons or daughters to come in with the CV. The living wage is €14.75. That was what was recommended. The minimum wage is currently €13.50. As I said, no employer wants to stop his or her staff getting higher wages. What could be given to businesses to help support that, particularly in the hospitality and leisure industries? I am involved in the leisure industry. We were the last to open again after the Covid-19 pandemic. There has been a considerable increase in the cost of doing business. I help to represent the play activity and leisure sector. I have received 15 messages today in the relevant group chat. None of those people could get the increased cost of doing business grant even though they would serve more food in their centres than any cafe on a high street or street because of the amount of food we serve for parties and kids and all those types of things. It has been tough. The people in that sector were unable to get the support. Is there anything the witnesses can see that would help businesses to balance the increased cost of wages, especially with auto-enrolment as well? I do not think anyone disagrees with people getting more.