Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate where the Deputy is coming from on the issue she has raised. However, Government is very conscious of the cost of doing business with the increases in the minimum wage over the past number of years. Since 2022 we have seen a 32% increase up to the current rate of €13.50. However, Government is committed to continuing to increase the minimum wage but over a longer period. We sought approval, which was granted, to extend the living wage out to 2029. Once the report of the Low Pay Commission comes before us in July, we will take the recommendations on board.

This Government is committed to ensuring that we have protection for workers. They deserve fair wages. The previous Government and Fine Gael introduced statutory sick pay leave. This was the first of its kind to protect workers on leave. It will be maintained at its current rate of five days. Further to that, illness benefit will kick in on the sixth day. That will provide additional protection. As I said in my earlier contribution, we have committed to protecting workers through many pieces of legislation, as I referred to earlier, and we will continue to support workers while also striking a balance to ensure that businesses remain viable.

See this speech in context