Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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901. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she expects to receive the report of the Low Pay Commission with regard to the review of the sub-minimum rates of the minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13421/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Low Pay Commission which is independent in the performance of its functions was established on a statutory basis in July 2015. Its principal function is to annually examine and make recommendations, which are evidence based, on the national minimum hourly rate of pay. As well as making recommendations to me regarding the national minimum hourly rate of pay, by 19 July 2016, the Commission has also been requested to examine the appropriateness of the sub-minima rates as currently provided for in the National Minimum Wage Acts with regard in particular to their impact on youth unemployment rates and participation in education. This report was due by the end of February 2016, but an extension to the end of October 2016 was sought and has been granted to the Commission. This is to allow the Commission avail of new data due to come on stream over the coming months as a result of an additional question added to the Q2 2016 QNHS on a pilot basis.

The Commission has also been requested to examine the issues surrounding the preponderance of women on the NMW and report its views in relation to the underlying causes (report due by end October 2016).