Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We know that inflation will likely reach the 10% mark this year. That is an extraordinary and alarming figure. We know that already the cost-of-living crisis is biting hard on so many households, families, and individuals across the country. In the face of this, the Government has only committed to an increase in the minimum wage to bring it to €11.30 per hour, amounting to an inadequate response. There has been a real cut in wages for the lowest paid in our society and, furthermore, people will have to wait six months before they see any increase in the money in their pockets. My colleague, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, raised this issue with the Tánaiste this morning. The Labour Party wants to see a meaningful increase in the minimum wage. We want it brought to the living wage of €12.90 per hour. We want that ambitious and radical measure taken by the Government, because we believe Ireland needs a pay rise. We want to see people having more money in their pockets to enable them to meet the scary increase in the cost of living that is frightening so many families and individuals as we face into this bleak winter. Will the Tánaiste commit to a meaningful increase in the minimum wage?

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