Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The question of how working poverty will be addressed is a matter of public policy in terms of the family income supplement. It adds another dimension to the debate, but it would be more appropriate to a wider policy context, one in which the State determines the issues. For this reason, provision is made through the Department of Social Protection in the form of the family income supplement as well as other supplements to help people in difficulty, even if some of them are in work.

Although I recognise the issue the Deputy is raising, this is a serious problem and we need to introduce measures that make it easier to work and to maintain a proper standard. This topic raises many important public policy issues, but we are debating the establishment of a JLC to set a sectoral norm that is above the national minimum wage rate, taking into account all of the various criteria, including the desirability of agreeing and maintaining fair and sustainable minimum rates of remuneration. The Bill's provision is fair and balanced and the amendment as offered would not add to the ease with which the criteria would be put in place. In practical terms, we have already facilitated this matter in the Bill's provisions.

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