Low Pay

1087. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that apprentice hairdressers are currently paid as little as €7 per hour, with no incremental increases over the four-year duration of the apprenticeship; if he considers this consistent with the Government's stated ambition to expand and professionalise the ap…

1088. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentice hairdressers are currently unable to access funding supports for tools and equipment essential to their training; if he will consider the creation of a dedicated equipment grant for apprentices in the hairdressing sector; and if he will make a statement on the …

1089. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentices, including apprentice hairdressers, are deemed ineligible for SUSI grants on the basis that they are "working", despite earning training-level pay far below a living wage; if he will review eligibility criteria to ensure apprentices are not financially penalis…

1090. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he recognises that hairdressing is a high-skill, future-proof profession unlikely to be replaced by automation or artificial intelligence; the way in which his Department plans to invest in and support such apprenticeships, which provide long-term, human-centred employment; and i…

1091. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has assessed whether low apprentice pay, lack of equipment supports, and ineligibility for education grants disproportionately impact female apprentices in sectors such as hairdressing; if he will commit to addressing these inequities; and if he will make a stateme…

1008. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the independent review of low pay in section 39 organisations will commence as committed to in the 2025 WRC agreement; if she will take measures to ensure that all section 39 workers, including those delivering PA and homecare services, are included in all increases committed to in the WRC agreement, and tha…

3. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason previous commitments made by the Government on workers’ rights issues are not being honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22002/25]

61. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline any plans to remove sub minimum wages and any economic impact assessment that has been carried; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21465/25]

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will abolish subminimum wages for young workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6496/25]