Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of the national minimum wage and of the standard working hours per week in each year since 2001 to date in 2006; and the value recommended to Government for implementation from 1 January 2007. [36663/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the National Minimum Wage since its introduction on 1 April, 2000 are set out in the table below. The weekly values of the National Minimum Wage, based on the relevant average working week at the time according to the CSO Quarterly National Household Survey, are also set out in the table.

In the national partnership agreement, Towards 2016, ICTU and IBEC agreed to make a joint recommendation to Government by 1 September, 2006 on a new minimum wage rate to be effective from 1 January, 2007. In the event that no agreement was reached, either party could refer the matter to the Labour Court.

As no agreement was reached between ICTU and IBEC, ICTU has referred the matter to the Labour Court asking that the Court examine the national minimum wage and make a recommendation to me on the matter. In accordance with the terms of the National Minimum Wage Act, 2000, the Court is currently engaging in a consultation process as part of its examination of the application.