Sir, – Last November, Leo Varadkar (then tánaiste) announced a Government decision to set, by 2026, a national living wage “at 60 per cent of hourly median wages”, not the average wage as reported by you (“Why is a large rise for the lowest paid being recommended?”, Analysis, July 19th).
CSO data for 2021 shows the median weekly earnings (€644.55) were 25 per cent lower than the average weekly earnings (€864.99 Quarter 4, 2021 seasonally adjusted).
Given this significant difference, it is not surprising that the Low Pay Commission recommended an 12 per cent increase in the minimum wage for 2024.
This would bring the minimum to €420 per week based on €12.70 per hour for 33 average weekly hours worked.
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This is less than half the average weekly earnings at the end of 2021.
On this basis, it is hard to see why businesses need “competitiveness and transition supports” for which Ibec is calling (News, July 19th). – Yours, etc,
DONAL O’BROLCÁIN,
Dublin 9.
