Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether the minimum wage should be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26904/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The current Programme for Government contained a commitment to reverse the €1 per hour reduction in the National Minimum Wage introduced by the previous Government on 1 February 2011.

The increase was provided for in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 and effected by the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 (Section 11) (No. 2) Order 2011 on July 1st 2011.

The restoration of the National Minimum Wage to €8.65 per hour represents a significant commitment by the Government to protect the lowest paid and most vulnerable workers. The Government does not have any plans for further adjustments to the National Minimum Wage.