Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Herein lies the debate. What we have had for a very long time in Ireland is a disproportionate number of people on low pay. We also have a disproportionate number of people in insecure work. Perhaps the more we say this the more people will notice. A statistic I always tell the Tánaiste, and I know that he knows it, is that 23% of Irish workers are on low pay. He does not have to accept the recommendation of the Low Wage Commission. He could just decide to go immediately to a living wage of €12.90. It would have a knock-on effect throughout the economy. Many employers do not want to be accused of being a minimum wage employer. It would also increase wages all the while. There are also other issues. As the Minister knows, workers here are expected to pay for services for which other European countries do not expect their citizens to pay, such as GP care and childcare. Back to school costs are a classic example. We are in a bind as we have a disproportionate number of low-paid workers and families have disproportionate costs. On top of this will be an extra layer of expense during the winter. The pay rates of those on the lowest level are within the Minister's remit.

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