Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully understand what the Minister of State is saying but some are paying the minimum wage and if one increases costs by way of wage costs or otherwise, one will reduce the capacity of the companies to provide the same level of service. One of the companies sent me a communication in the last week it had received from the Department. It stated that the Department had requested Pobal to develop a mechanism and process to enable companies to apply for additional funding on the one-to-one basis to which the Minister of State referred. Has the process been put in place? This is an ongoing situation. How long is the process likely to take?

The Tánaiste has already announced that when she is returned as Tánaiste next year, she will increase the minimum wage again. Good luck to her. How will this be dealt with? Will an advance be provided? Now that the problem that can arise has been identified will it be dealt with before it arises in the event of another increase in the minimum wage next year?

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