Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will publish the report and the associated research. I cannot give the Deputy a definitive timeline because it is not under my control. The Low Pay Commission is doing this work. It has a new chairman and a number of new members in addition to other ongoing work. My officials tell me we expect to get the report next month, which will be March. It should not take me too long to consider it. It is hoped we will be in a position to bring proposals to Government in April or May and set out a plan to introduce a living wage in Ireland, which we can begin in 2023. I have not seen the report yet and I would need to see it to make that determination.

The Deputy is correct in saying a proportion of our welfare budget goes to people who are at work. It is a relatively small proportion of that €21 billion budget and is often linked to people with large families. Many people on the minimum wage do not qualify for the working family payment and many who earn more than that do qualify. That is to do with the size of their families as much as their level of pay.

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