The minimum wage in Ireland officially increases today.
February 1 marks the increase of the minimum wage in Ireland by 30 cent per hour.
The new rate, which was set based on a recommendation from the independent Low Pay Commission, sees the minimum wage increase from €9.80 to €10.10 per hour.
For minimum wage employees working a full 39-hour week in Ireland, the change will be reflected in an annual increase of over €600 gross per year.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Regina Doherty TD, who announced plans for the increase before Christmas, said: "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 National 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.
"In fact, since 2016, a minimum wage employee working a 39-hour week has received a gross pay increase of €2,331.
"Since 2015, we have increased the minimum wage by 13.2 per cent - ahead of the rate of inflation – thereby ensuring real increases in the earnings of the lower paid.
"All types of work should pay well and it is my determination that a job should really lift people out of poverty. The ongoing increases in the minimum wage help to ensure that happens."
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