Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I can say is that this is a Government that supports workers and also supports enterprise because without the businesses to create these jobs, where would we be? This Government understands that in order to create wealth and jobs for young people and everybody else we need to make sure our businesses are supported as well. We have supported workers by increasing sick pay. We have introduced remote working and domestic violence leave. We have increased parental leave and the minimum wage. In the last year alone, the minimum wage has increased by 12%, the highest percentage ever, and stands at €12.70. Those under 19, 18 and 17 years have also seen an increase in their wages.

The Low Pay Commission was asked by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to examine sub-minimum youth rates. He has said clearly he will take on board the recommendations. The Low Pay Commission has looked at all the environments. It looked at a report that was commissioned before Christmas looking at the challenges that business face, particularly the businesses that we know are most under pressure in accommodation, food and the retail sectors where we know the majority of younger people work. We must take all this into consideration when any decision is being taken.

I again stress that if we do not have a business to create these jobs, these young people will not have jobs in the first instance. We have to take this into consideration. The Minister will examine the report and take into consideration all the factors impacting on business. The report before Christmas clearly set out that there were pressures on certain sectors because of the increases in costs and external factors. We need to make sure we do not do anything further that might impact on those sectors in particular. We are moving to support business overall. That is why a 15-point plan was set out by the Minister, Deputy Burke, with his colleague in the Department, setting out the measures the Government is putting in place to support businesses.

We have consistently supported workers through the measures I outlined. We need to make sure that any further changes do not negatively impact on their ability to have a job, whether part time or full time, to be able to make a living. The Minister will respond to this report. I have no doubt that a decision will be taken by the Government and that the Minister will engage with the Deputy on anything beyond that, including the Private Members' Bill.

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