Labour councillor Harry Barrett has welcomed the restoration of the minimum wage from €7.65 to €8.65.
“The cut of €1 an hour by the previous Fianna Fáil led government in 2010 had devastating effects on the low-paid and the Labour Party was committed to reversing the cut,” Cllr Barrett said. “I therefore congratulate Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, for making the restoration a priority under the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill.
“The restoration of the minimum wage will see workers gain €40 a week which will have positive knock-on effects for the local economy as people will have more money to spend.”
Introduced in the Bill also is the National Internship Scheme which will offer 5,000 work experience placements to jobseekers in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit. The placements will offer hands-on work experience in both the public and private sector and participants will receive their usual Department of Social Protection payment as well as an additional €50 per week.
“The Government is committed to getting people back to work and with the many positive measures introduced under the jobs initiative we can continue along the road to recovery,” said Cllr Barrett.
