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

I thank the Deputy. The recommendation was made by a majority vote of the Low Pay Commission. Two members dissented but eight or ten were in favour so a very clear majority was in favour of this recommendation. What we will see next year is a not insignificant increase. It brings us closer to the 60% median, not as close as the Deputy or I would like, but it does bring us closer to the 60% median so we are on the right trajectory. The sum of €1,600 a year is not a small amount of money. It is enough perhaps to pay the rent or mortgage for a month. It is enough, depending on how far a worker travels, to fill the car for several months. It is not an insubstantial amount of money but also it is not the limit of what we are going to do to help people on low pay or on minimum wage. It is just the start. There is going to be a good deal more. This will be seen in the budget, particularly in what we will do to help people with energy bills and welfare increases. We will take other actions as well.

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