Question
138. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of introducing a minimum weekly gross wage of €480, €500, €520, €560 or €600 for all full-time employees under the aegis of his Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27791/16]
Answer
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I can inform the Deputy that based on current staffing figures, the additional annual salary cost to my Department of implementing the various minimum wages referred to in the Deputy's question and the numbers of staff affected are contained in the following table:
| Minimum wage rate | Number of staff under rate | Total cost of introducing the minimum wage rate concerned |
| Minimum wage of €480 per week | 227 | €553,117 |
| Minimum wage of €500 per week | 234 | €819,624 |
| Minimum wage of €520 per week | 243 | €1,067,090 |
| Minimum wage of €560 per week | 392 | €1,913,485 |
| Minimum wage of €600 per week | 520 | €2,976,725 |
These figures include bodies under the aegis of my Department with the exception of An Garda Síochána. I have asked An Garda Síochána to provide the information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.