Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is not good practice simply to allocate funds without an underlying rationale. Hence, the facility is being provided for those companies which need to make a case for additional supports. That process is being put in place. The schemes operating under that are being identified. The level of grant is not related to the value of the minimum wage. I have visited and spoken to those involved in CSP schemes and I am anxious that they should not always look at paying the minimum wage. We want to see fair wages paid in regard to the grant. The managers in most schemes are currently earning approximately €32,000. That is funded there. Most of the schemes I have visited generate additional income. Unfortunately, a lot of them have split positions. They have split whole-time equivalents. As I have met them I have said that we want to assist them and co-operate in lifting the salary base of their employees where that has not been done. However, 60% of the schemes are paying more, some of them substantially more, than the minimum wage. In some instances well €11 per hour is being paid.

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