81. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the recent salary increases of CEOs of commercial State bodies under the aegis of his Department; if he has discussed these increases with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63377/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Is mian liom ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit mar gheall ar na salaries that have recently been announced for a number of incoming CEOs. Those salaries concern commercial State bodies under the aegis of the Minister of State’s Department. Has he discussed these increases with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services Reform and Digitalisation?

Sentiment score: 0.03

Of course we need to ensure that we have the best people for the job but it is not all about top dogs and the CEO. In a cost-of-living crisis, will the Minister of State outline the reasoning behind these salary bumps, some of which are over 33%? This morning, I listened to representatives from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ireland on the radio outlining that more and more families, particularly middle-income families, are seeking its help because of the massive increases in the cost of living in respect of electricity, heating and grocery bills. In Kerry alone, over 20,500 dinners were provided to families across the county this year. That is in stark contrast to salary increases of over 33%. Does the Minister of State have any thoughts in that regard?

Sentiment score: 0.03

That would be fine if there were also fair play for workers and families, many of whom are also working in essential services. We need fair pay for them. The decision to abolish the pay cap is going to increase wage inequality. There will be a much bigger gap between the CEOs and the people who are doing the work on the ground. In the recent budget, supports to help people with the cost-of-living crisis were ripped away. Last year, the CSO identified that in-work poverty stands at 5.9%, meaning approximately 145,000 people in employment are living below the poverty line. Earlier this year, research from the ESRI showed that when housing costs are taken into account, the figure is even higher. In a society of nearly full employment, nearly 15% of the State’s population is living in poverty, including one in five children. They are the workers who need a pay rise. The Government must step up and introduce a living wage for all workers, rather than just bumping up the salaries of the people at the top.

Sentiment score: -0.00

I think I was meant to have the next question. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, to write to me via email with a response as to whether there is a review into concerns about whether Uber coming into the taxi market complies with the Taxi Regulation Act.

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