Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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191. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider increasing the minimum wage beyond the amount announced in budget 2021 to ensure it reflects a living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40070/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government accepted the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission to increase the national minimum wage to €10.20 per hour from 1 January 2021.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government.

Consideration is now being given to how best to take forward this initiative and I recently met with the Low Pay Commission to discuss options for progressing the commitment to progress to a living wage and the role the Commission can play in meeting this commitment.

The Programme for Government recognises the importance of the Low Pay Commission in ensuring that those who are in low-paid employment are valued. While the living wage initiative is being considered, the Government will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission with regard to any future changes in the minimum wage.