John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to this motion at a time when workers in Ireland have never needed a living wage more and yet the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil - whose Members are noticeable in their absence - response to this reality is to say "No" to an increase in the minimum wage and "No" to a living wage for these workers.

Only two weeks ago, our absent Fianna Fáil friends brought childcare workers - early years educators - into the audiovisual room to outline the many reasons these professionals in the childcare sector need a living wage. Fianna Fáil did not secure an increase in the minimum wage for these workers, let alone a living wage. Not for the first time, Fianna Fáil has failed to deliver for workers. It is, of course, the party that cut the minimum wage when workers in this State were on their knees. Now, even in a time of supposed economic growth, Fianna Fáil is failing workers again.

In response to this motion, the Government will tell us, as it has done previously, that Ireland has the second highest minimum wage in Europe. That is a fact but what about the fact that Ireland has the highest childcare costs in Europe? Dublin is now the fifth most expensive city in which to rent in Europe. Drivers and householders pay some of the highest insurance premiums anywhere in Europe. Ireland is the most expensive country out of the 28 nations in the EU in which to run a household. In fact, a EUROSTAT report released in June shows that the cost of living in Ireland and paying for household costs such as rent, water, gas, electricity and maintenance is almost 57% higher than the EU average. When one puts all of that together, the minimum wage being the second highest in Europe means nothing.

Last year in its poverty focus report, Social Justice Ireland found that more than 100,000 people with jobs live in poverty. There is something wrong when being in employment condemns a person to live in poverty. Of course, these are the people who get up early. The Taoiseach likes to tell citizens on a regular basis to get up, get out to work and it will lead to a better lifestyle but these people are living in poverty. In a way, the Government facilitates this because as of last month, there were 52,074 people in receipt of the working family payment. The Government spent an estimated €430 million in 2018 in topping up poor wages to try to prevent in-work poverty. If these workers were receiving the living wage, this wage top-up from the State would no longer be required. Instead of supplementing poor wages for workers, the Government should be dealing with the issue, that is, the inadequacy of the minimum wage, which does not protect those who get up early in the morning and go out to work.

This feeds into the already worrying attitude of the Government when it comes to workers in this State. It does not want to give them a measly 30 cent increase in the minimum wage. That was outlined quite clearly by the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, last week although it has been contradicted this afternoon by the Taoiseach, who completely undermined the Minister's position and contradicted the Government amendment to this motion. While the Taoiseach has stated it will be rolled out in January, the Minister's amendment states no clear timeline whatsoever. The Government is all over the place on that.

The Minister does not want to pay these people a living wage. The Minister does not want to give them a legal entitlement to the tips that they earn. When it comes to recouping money owed to the State, the Minister chooses to go after those who rely on social welfare supports - older people, people with a disability and jobseekers - rather than big business, which uses bogus self-employment tactics to avoid paying PRSI. That is what Fine Gael offers workers.

I am proud to be part of a political party that not only represents workers, but in government will pay them a living wage, something that they thoroughly deserve.

See this speech in context