Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. The strength of this sectoral employment order, SEO, is that it has the agreement of employers and employees alike. They recognise that this is the bare minimum. Employers know this is the bare minimum they need to attract people into professions that are grossly understaffed at the moment, both domestically and from elsewhere. However, they only work if they are fully and totally applied and recognised by all parties. I agree with the Deputy that the practice of 0.1% of employers who undermine this system and who go below the minimum rates is abhorrent. As a Minister of State, I fundamentally agree with the Deputy on the need to make sure these orders are upheld and enforced. I would be more than happy to engage with the Deputy and other parties, both within this room and beyond, in looking at the role of the WRC and its inspectors, at the resourcing of the WRC and at the powers given to inspectors to ensure these minimum rates - and I will stress a couple of times today that these are minimum rates - are enforced. They are a very clear reflection of the skills that are on display, skills that are vital not only to our economy, but to our society.