Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The change to the National Minimum Wage Act to introduce the new national minimum wage of €9.15 is very welcome for employees, particularly employees of community employment, CE, schemes and Pobal, which are funded by the Tánaiste's Department. There is concern across the country that the grants have not been increased in order that they can pay the new national minimum wage of €9.15. While it is very welcome for employees and must be supported, the CEs must also be supported with additional funds to pay it. Otherwise they will be under severe financial pressure, as the Tánaiste will know from parliamentary questions I and others have asked. Many schemes seek reassurance and an answer from the Tánaiste. Will she inform them whether she will, through the Department of Social Protection, provide them with the funding to pay the national minimum wage which she has increased?

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