Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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59. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons working in her Department who earn less than the living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20603/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Remuneration for staff within my Department is set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. I have no remit in this area.

Based on the Civil Service 37-hour standard net working week, the suggested living wage equates to an annual salary of €22,975.

There is a total of 7 staff in my Department currently on an annual salary less than the suggested living wage. The hourly rate for the 7 identified is between €11.32 and €11.79. These rates are well above the minimum wage of €9.80 as recommended by the Low Pay Commission.

It should be noted that the maximum point on the incremental scales for these staff is above the hourly suggested rate of €11.90 for the living wage. Over time and based on satisfactory performance, each staff member in these grades would proceed to earn more than the living wage through incremental progression.

Additionally, those currently identified on basic annual salary of less than €22,975 could be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional payments in respect of specific allowances particular to the grade or atypical working hours.