Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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369. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24167/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has undertaken no costing of the initiative outlined by the Deputy as the introduction of any such scheme would necessarily have to take place on a cross Governmental basis and costs determined centrally as part of the estimates budgetary process. Pre-determined salary scales negotiated at central level are applied to all staff in the department.

On a purely indicative basis it is not anticipated that the introduction of such a scheme in my own Department would incur significant cost as the majority of staff are on salary points above that mentioned by the Deputy.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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370. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the discussions his Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or to agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24182/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The living wage is a voluntary societal initiative and has no legislative basis, it is therefore not a statutory entitlement. It cannot be imposed on suppliers or contractors.

Matters of employee pay rates are a matter for the employer and employee(s) concerned subject to compliance with employment legislation. Companies tendering to supply goods or services to Government Departments are legally obliged to provide a statement confirming that they have taken account of their legal obligations relating to employment protection and working conditions relating to the provision of the services sought.

My Department has consequently no discussion with suppliers or companies in relation to whether their employees are in receipt of the living wage. Such operational arrangements for suppliers to my Department are a matter for the bodies concerned and my Department holds no information in relation to this.