A chara, – Solas chief executive Andrew Brownlee blames the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for the so-called labour crisis in Ireland ("Staff wanted: Labour crisis stunts hospitality sector's recovery", September 3rd).
The PUP at its highest level is currently €350 per week (soon to be €300). In real terms, the former figure equates to €8.75 per hour for someone working a 40-hour week.
The minimum wage in Ireland is €10.20. The average rent meanwhile is €1,477 per month.
Solas is a body that – according to its own website – exists to provide educational and training programmes that will “enable learners to succeed in the labour market and thrive in society”.
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If success means being paid less than minimum wage and thriving being unable to afford a place to live, then perhaps the real crisis is not a labour one.
– Is mise,
AIDAN POWER,
University of Exeter.