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”.
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.