Photograph: iStockA 65 cent increase to the national minimum wage comes into effect from January 1st with the wage packets of hundreds of thousands of workers also set to be affected by the first auto-enrolment pension deductions. Just over 200,000 people earn the minimum wage in Ireland, a growing number disproportionately made up of women, younger workers and people with disabilities. There have also been calls for changes to the rates paid to those starting apprenticeships who can be paid well below the minimum wage regardless of age. The decision to delay the living wage introduction from 2026 to 2029 will, it says, cost those currently on minimum wage about €600 in lost earnings during the coming year. Ictu general secretary Owen Reidy said the delay came “while at the same time, the biggest minimum wage employers, the hospitality industry will pocket €681 million in VAT each year”.

Source: The Irish Times December 30, 2025 14:36 UTC