Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is not the Minister of State's fault. I believe a sufficient lead-in period should be made available in advance of the introduction of the new rate in order that it can be met in a planned way. I and Fianna Fáil fully support the Bill. My amendment is tabled in the spirit of strengthening the Bill. I wish to discuss the rationale for amendment No. 20. It states:

In page 6, line 27, to delete “pay.”.” and substitute the following:“pay.

(5) Where the Minister declares an order for any increase to the national minimum wage, a sufficient lead-in period should be made available for this new rate to be met in a planned way.”.”.

From my experience as co-founder of Lir Chocolates, small to medium sized businesses plan their budgets one year in advance. It is therefore imperative they are given enough time to plan for any increase in the national minimum wage. Caution needs to be taken in assessing any proposed changes to ensure any new measures introduced are sustainable from the employers' point of view while also ensuring a meaningful quality of life for employees, which I totally support.

The sentiments of the Minister of State are honourable. He has stated the Low Pay Commission will advise the Government on the appropriate rate of the national minimum wage every year. However, that assessment must be done carefully. Our economy's ethos must be to provide sustainable jobs.The dignity of workers is the first priority as far as I am concerned and it has always been my modus operandiin terms of people's self-confidence and reaching their full potential. There is a need to balance a basic statutory minimum pay rate that is fair with one that is sustainable and allows employers to continue to create quality jobs. The minimum wage should be adjusted incrementally over time having regard to changes in earnings, productivity, overall competitiveness and the likely impact that any adjustment will have on employment and unemployment levels.