Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat. It is an issue I have raised with the Department in preparation for today's Oral Questions. We do want this economic impact assessment to be provided, evaluated and reviewed. As I said, we have made substantial increases in the national minimum wage. The current system for youth rates is a percentage of the full minimum wage. They have also seen an increase in recent times. We have also made progressive changes in policies impacting all workers across all ranges, including banning zero-hour contracts, enacting the tips legislation and learning from the pandemic around statutory sick pay. We have, therefore, undertaken substantial measures. However, we must also consider the real impact, cost and competitive pressures on certain sectors, such as in hospitality, retail and accommodation. This aspect needs to be factored in before we make any decision concerning the implementation or abolition of the subminimum youth rates. We will take this in the context of moving forward in the months to come.

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