Irish Minimum Wage Increase – The Irish Times
- The Irish government is considering a 65-cent increase to the national minimum wage, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission.
- For workers currently earning the minimum wage of €13.50 per hour and working a 39-hour week, the proposed increase translates to approximately €25 more per week.
- Approximately 200,000 people in Ireland currently earn the minimum wage. This demographic is disproportionately comprised of women, younger workers, and individuals with disabilities (Irish Times, September 19, 2023).
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Ireland’s Minimum Wage: Proposed Increase to €14.15 in 2024 Budget
What Happened?
The Irish government is considering a 65-cent increase to the national minimum wage, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission. If approved in the upcoming 2024 budget, this would raise the minimum wage to €14.15 per hour, representing a nearly 5% increase (Irish Times, September 19, 2023). Previous recommendations from the Low Pay commission have been accepted by the government.
Financial Impact for Workers
For workers currently earning the minimum wage of €13.50 per hour and working a 39-hour week, the proposed increase translates to approximately €25 more per week. This would raise weekly earnings from €526 to €551.85, resulting in an annual salary of €28,696 (Irish Times, September 19, 2023). The impact will be felt most acutely by those in lower-paying jobs.
| Wage component | Current (€) | Proposed (€) | difference (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | 13.50 | 14.15 | 0.65 |
| Weekly Hours (39) | 526.50 | 551.85 | 25.35 |
| Annual Salary (52 weeks) | 27,378 | 28,696.20 | 1,318.20 |
Who is Affected?
Approximately 200,000 people in Ireland currently earn the minimum wage. This demographic is disproportionately comprised of women, younger workers, and individuals with disabilities (Irish Times, September 19, 2023). These workers are largely employed in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and various service industries, where minimum wage jobs are prevalent.
The increase also indirectly affects a larger number of workers whose wages are benchmarked against the minimum wage. Employers may adjust pay scales for those earning slightly above the minimum to maintain wage differentials and employee morale.
Timeline and Context
The Low Pay Commission’s advice was