9th March 2015
The new body tasked with advising the Government on the appropriate rate of the national minimum wage is calling for submissions.
The Low Pay Commission is now seeking the views of anyone with an interest in the minimum wage, as part of a public consultation process.
It is calling for comments, observations and submissions on any matter relating to the National Minimum Wage to be made in writing to it before the deadline of 5pm on Monday the 13th of April.
The Low Pay Commission was officially launched at the end of last month and is chaired by Dr Donal de Buitléir. Its remit is to make recommendations to Government in relation to the setting of the minimum wage, taking an evidence-based approach.
Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD said, “The work of the Low Pay Commission is extremely important and it has a relatively short time frame in which to report back to me with a recommended rate for the minimum wage. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in low pay to make a submission to the Commission, but particularly workers who earn the minimum wage and employers who pay the minimum wage.”
The Low Pay Commission was established following a commitment in the Statement of Priorities agreed by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in July last year. It is expected to report by July 15th.
The National Minimum Wage is currently €8.65.
In making its recommendation, the Commission will examine a range of issues including:
- the changes in earnings since the minimum wage was last increased in 2011
- the unemployment and employment rates generally
- the expected impact of a change to the minimum wage on employment, the cost of living and national competitiveness
- changes in income distribution and
- currency exchange rates
Submissions to the Low Pay Commission can be made via email to secretarylpc@djei.ie or by post to Low Pay Commission, Room 2.01, Davitt House, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2.
It should be noted that any submissions may be made public as part of the consultation process.
ENDS
For more information contact:
DJEI Press Office, ph: 631 2200 or press.office@djei.ie
Editors’ notes:
The membership of the Low Pay Commission is:
Dr Donal de Buitléir Chairperson Director of PublicPolicy.ie
Vincent Jennings Chief Executive Officer, Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association
Patricia King Vice President, SIPTU, incoming General Secretary of ICTU
Gerry Light Assistant General Secretary, Mandate Trade Union
Caroline McEnery Director, HR Suite; HR & Business Solutions
Edel McGinley Director, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland
Mary Mosse Lecturer in Economics, Programme Director for Postgraduate Research, WIT Business School
Tom Noonan Chief Executive, The Maxol Group, President of IBEC (2008–2010)
Prof Donal O’Neill Dept. of Economics, NUI, Maynooth
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