Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

There is no doubt that there could be that type of situation in that someone could have a PhD but might not have worked in the job for which he or she is being employed. The measure is recognition that entry rates are available to an employer through joint labour committees, JLCs. The intention is to provide for a minimum standard that must apply. I accept that an employer could decide that employing someone with a PhD to do certain work warrants a higher rate of pay because he or she is an attractive person to do the job. However, we are providing for a minimum standard. One must provide for the more common situation where a person is competing for job places with others who are experienced. The provision is reasonable in that context. I accept the point that one can always find exceptions, but the labour market will generally recognise that if someone has particular skills, experience or an educational qualification that makes him or her attractive, it does not prevent an employer paying him or her more. The measure is to provide for a minimum standard for new entrants. It has been accepted that there should be a different entry point. I accept the circumstance raised by the Deputy, but the employer will have flexibility to look at the issue in a different light.

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