Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

The point made by Deputy Ó Snodaigh is very good. It would be a good idea to apply it to new jobs only. It is not easy to reduce an employee's rate per hour but employers can reduce hours to get the employee's earnings under €356. I am not sure how this will work. If someone is earning €1 above the minimum wage but is only given 33 or 34 hours, the person will earn under €356. Will the employer qualify for the PRSI reduction benefit in that case? If so, it would be great temptation to give the worker fewer hours. There will be more cases of this than a reduction in wages. It is a matter that should be addressed.

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