The Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr Fahey, has accepted the recommendation, agreed by both ICTU and IBEC and contained in Sustaining Progress, to increase the national minimum wage.
The Minister today signed an order increasing the minimum rate of pay to €7.00 per hour from February 1st next year.
"Building on the success of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, this decision will increase the pay of those who are on the minimum wage and benefit part-time and young workers in particular," Mr Fahey said.
The effect of the statutory order signed by the Minister will be to increase the national minimum hourly rate of pay from the current rate of €6.35 to €7.00.