Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not propose to accept the amendment on the basis I do not think legislation is the appropriate vehicle for reports, although I understand why it was tabled. The recent Government decision regarding the introduction of a national living wage stated the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in conjunction with the Low Pay Commission, which is under its aegis, will pursue options to improve median wage estimates with the Central Statistics Office and the Revenue Commissioners. Officials in my Department have produced analyses of proposals to address the employee and employer PRSI step effect that arises when the national minimum wage is increased, and this is being shared with officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My officials and I will continue to work with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and officials at that Department on this issue, but given that work has begun and is ongoing, I do not propose to produce another report on the issue. Nevertheless, I will keep the Deputy informed.

In fact, was the Deputy not a former Minister in that Department? I think he was. Maybe he was not; I am sorry. He is very familiar with the system anyway. I will share that report and whatever we have with the Deputy. I get his point, however. We do not want to increase the minimum wage and then maybe make somebody worse off. That is not what we want. It is not what we are about. I understand that at the minute, a person must pay PRSI on anything over €350 per week, but it is then tapered and gradually increased up to €424 per week.

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