Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to my colleagues, Deputies Brady and Quinlivan, for tabling this motion. For as long as I have known Deputy Quinlivan, he has been passionate about this issue. I commend both Deputies. It is hypocritical of the Government to tell us that we are in a recovery and that everything is going to be okay because there is almost full employment, while then speaking about the need to be cautious and careful when the lowest-paid workers look for a tiny increase. The Government's attitude is that there is no way it will allow such an increase to happen. The reality is that the living wage gives people a quality of life.

I would like to explain the impact on a person's life of the serious struggle associated with being on the minimum wage or not earning a living wage. If someone is unable to heat his or her home, or is not eating the correct food or skipping meals, it will have an impact on his or her health. The stress and worry involved in struggling to pay for anything to do with children, such as schooling, will have an impact on the mental health of the person involved. We have many debates on mental health issues in this House, but when there is an opportunity to take practical measures to address such matters, the Government and Fianna Fáil seem reluctant to take action. I note that no Fianna Fáil Deputy has been present in the Chamber for the past hour of this debate.

I am aware that time is against me. I will conclude by mentioning that most of those who fall into this category are women. Most single parents, most people in low-paid jobs and most people of pension age who are on low pensions, or no pension at all, are women. They are often forced to make certain choices because of the cost of childcare, etc. I was delighted Deputy Healy mentioned workers in the childcare and early years sector, who are some of the lowest-paid in the economy. They often have to sign on over Christmas and during the summer because they do not get paid. They have some of the worst terms and conditions, even though they are doing one of the most valuable jobs in our society, if not the most valuable. We need to start rewarding them.

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