The national minimum wage is set to increase by 30 cent on February 1st, 2020.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, announced the Government's decision to increase the minimum wage to €10.10 due to the strong growth in earnings across the economy over the last year.
In October 2019, the Government accepted the proposal to increase the minimum wage by 30 cent per hour.
This followed the recommendation of the Low Pay Commission, an independent body tasked with examining the appropriate rate of the statutory minimum wage.
A decision was taken then to postpone any increase until there was greater clarity regarding Brexit and the ability of business to absorb an increase.
Minister Doherty said:
“I am pleased to announce that the increase in the minimum wage to €10.10 will now come into effect in February. The minimum wage is one of a number of important measures designed to support working families, especially those on lower incomes, and shows the Government’s commitment to supporting low paid workers. With this most recent increase in the minimum wage, an employee on minimum wage who works a full 39-hour week will now receive an additional €11.70 per week, or an extra €608.40 gross per year."
The increase means an employee on minimum wage who works a full 39-hour week will now earn an extra €608 a year.
As of 2019, Ireland has the third highest hourly minimum wage rate in the European Union.
