Stark new challenge facing Mayo employers is revealed

A leading figure in the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association (ISME) has revealed a stark challenge facing employers in Mayo running their outlets.

Neil McDonnell, chief executive of the association, told an Oireachtas Committee about an issue raised with him by the owner of a commercial operation in the county.

He outlined: "The business woman told me she paid the manager of one of her establishments in Mayo the 12.4% that went on the minimum wage.

"A month later, that employee came back to her and said she had lost her medical card because of that pay rise but when she went into her Intreo office, the Intreo office said if you go from a five-day week to a four-day week they would get her back her medical card.

"On top of that, she was told that if she dropped from a four-day to a three-day week they would get her the HAP payment for her rent.

"This is what employers are dealing with on a day-do-day basis.

"The State is actually telling people to work less and it will pay them more money through the social protection system," he added.