Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be clear, the work is on our desk and we can complete it. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to implement it over the lifetime of the Government. I am not sure what the Deputy's party manifesto said a couple of years ago. I do not recall seeing a commitment to a living wage overnight in it, to be honest.

The approach we are taking is measured and brings together all stakeholders, with proper consultation, to determine how we can get the balance on this right. We are very much committed to it. In the meantime, there have been a number of initiatives to help with the rising cost of living affecting people. We adopted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission on the minimum wage last summer, and they were implemented in January, with an increase of 30 cent. A range of initiatives have been announced by Government over the past couple of months, in addition to the work done in the budget, to recognise additional pressures on people and families. More commitments will be announced in the next week or two.

We recognise that there are pressures now in terms of inflation and we will deal with them. The permanent change to the living wage will involve more long-term structural changes that will have positive and negative impacts on employment, and we have to introduce them in an organised way over the next couple of years. That is what we are committed to doing. In terms of the details, the Deputy can understand that it is a positive is development, but it is important that we read the report first.

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