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

I do not think we can be any clearer that without employers we do not have employees. I outlined the supports we are putting in place for employers. It is important we support them. It is also important that we support employees too. That is why we have introduced sick pay and remote working for those who can engage in it.

That is why we have introduced domestic violence leave, acknowledging the challenges that people face. That is why we have introduced and are extending parental leave. That is why we have increased the minimum wage. These are all to protect workers. As the minimum wage has increased, younger workers have seen an increase in their wages.

It is the Minister who asked the commission to undertake this body of work. The commission has published it within the legally required timeline and the Minister will now consider it in the way he is legally required to do. He has stated clearly that we cannot take further actions that could impact on an industry that, from the information we gathered prior to Christmas, we know is already under considerable strain. This is not a small number of young people. Some 15,000 are impacted, approximately 45% of whom are 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds, with many of them working in the hospitality sector. For an older cohort of 5%, it is their full-time employment, but for young people, it is potentially a weekend job in a sector that we know is under pressure. We need to ensure that we do not make decisions that have catastrophic implications for the industry as a whole. That is why the Minister has committed to the economic impact assessment in the recommendations. I have no doubt that he will revert with a response in due course.

See this speech in context