Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

There is a minimum wage in this country but the law allows an employer to pay below it if the worker in question is under the age of 20. It is legal to pay a 19-year-old 90% of the minimum wage, an 18-year-old 80% and those aged 17 and under just 70%. Yesterday, the Low Pay Commission unanimously recommended that the Government abolish these sub-minimum pay rates. Instead of embracing that proposal, the Minister for enterprise said he would have to apply the SME test before making recommendations to the Cabinet. The Taoiseach's comments earlier on this matter were not satisfactory. There are no circumstances that justify paying an 18-year-old €10.16 an hour in this day and age. There are no circumstances that justify discriminating against a 19-year-old when he or she performs the same work as a 20-year-old. There is never an excuse for exploitation. Will the Taoiseach commit today to implementing the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission by 1 January? It is the right thing to do.

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