Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Low Pay Commission was established last year through the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Act 2015. Its remit is to make recommendations to me regarding the national minimum hourly rate of pay, ensuring that all decisions are evidence based, fair and sustainable and do not create significant adverse consequences for employment or competitiveness. The Low Pay Commission also has other functions. For example, the Act allows me to request the commission to examine and report its views and recommendations on matters related generally to its functions under the Act.

In this context and in order to obtain a better understanding of the impact of the national minimum wage on younger people, I requested the commission to examine the appropriateness of the sub minimarates as provided for in the National Minimum Wage Acts, with particular regard to their impact on youth unemployment rates and participation in education. This report is due by 29 February.

Given the preponderance of women on the national minimum wage, as highlighted in the commission’s report in July last year, in order to obtain a better understanding of the composition and profile of this group and the underlying causality, I also requested the commission to examine this issue in more detail and report its views on the underlying reason for this position and make recommendations it considered appropriate. These recommendations are due to be presented by 31 October this year.

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