Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration will be given to granting the full minimum wage to workers from the age of 16 years, rather than an incremental approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11773/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In the past, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) was asked to examine the issues around subminimum rates under the National Minimum Wage Acts and reported on the matter in December 2017.

The LPC, having examined all available evidence and submissions, and having considered a range of options, made recommendations in its report to simplify youth rates based on age and to abolish training rates unless an employee is part of certain apprenticeship programmes already approved by the State.

In 2022, the Low Pay Commission was requested to re-examine the issues around retaining or removing the youth rates and to make recommendations on the subject. To inform its work, the LPC has asked the ESRI to conduct background research on this issue under the terms of the LPC-ESRI Research Partnership Agreement. The LPC’s report and recommendations on sub-minimum rates are expected in 2023.

While the issue of subminimum youth rates is being considered, the Government will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the LPC with regard to any future changes in the National Minimum Wage.