Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To clarify, this Government is committed to the introduction of a living wage. That will happen over an extended period. Again, we are committed to taking the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission on board once we receive its report. That will inform the discussions in preparation for the budget later this year.

Our Department takes the conditions of workers very seriously. We are guided by evidence. Our decisions are based on facts. We have engaged with the ESRI and the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, IGEES, on detailed research with key stakeholders. We know that across some of the vulnerable sectors in hospitality, food services and retail, there are real cost pressures in respect of labour, the regulatory burden and energy costs. We want to protect the viability of these businesses and the livelihoods of those who are employed in them. These sectors account for more than 70% of all jobs throughout the country. We need to protect them and ensure that is done in a very responsible manner.

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