Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

473. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the sectoral employment order she plans to introduce will ban tips being used as part of payment of wages. [22714/19]

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

474. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ban businesses from adding service charges that often go to the employer and not staff. [22744/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.

I have met with relevant stakeholders and industry bodies (including the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Irish Hotels Federation and the Vintners Federation) who have expressed their support for the development of an agreement or code of practice in this area.

In the short term I would like to bring greater clarity and transparency around this complex issue via an amendment to the Payment of Wages Act 1991 in order to distinguish between tips, gratuities and service charges and to place tips outside the scope of a person’s contractual wages. I am currently awaiting legal advice on the proposed amendment.