Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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334. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated number of workers who would benefit from the implementation of the living wage as recommended by the Low Pay Commission. [28820/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Central Statistics Office advises that, as per the Labour Force Survey, in 2024 there were 157,100 employees, who reported that they earned the National Minimum Wage, with a further 38,200 employees, reporting that they earned less than the National Minimum Wage.

Based on this, a total of 195,300 employees reported that they earned the National Minimum Wage or less.

Employees can earn less than the National Minimum Wage if they are among groups exempted by the National Minimum Wage Acts or if they are paid sub-minimum youth rates of the National Minimum Wage.

It is not possible to estimate the number of workers who will be in receipt of the minimum wage in future years as this is contingent on the development of the labour market and any further changes in the National Minimum Wage.

Under the National Minimum Wages Acts, the Low Pay Commission is required to make a recommendation on the National Minimum Wage by the third Tuesday of July each year.

The current National Minimum Wage is €13.50 an hour, which represented an increase of 6.3% on the 2024 rate of €12.70.

I look forward to receiving the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation for the 2026 National Minimum Wage in July.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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335. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he intends to implement the living wage for workers in Ireland. [28821/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to fair wages.

The recent substantial increases in the National Minimum Wage have been ahead of inflation and have brought about real wage increases for lower-paid workers. These increases demonstrate our commitment to fair wages.

I fully expect the National Minimum Wage to increase in the coming years. I want to ensure that it increases in a sustainable way that does not threaten employment or competitiveness.

Government will strive to find a balance between a fair and sustainable rate for low-paid workers and one that will not have significant negative consequences for employers and competitiveness.

As part of a suite of measures to bolster business resilience and support competitiveness, Government has agreed to adjust the implementation timeline for the living wage to 2029.

In line with their statutory obligations, the Low Pay Commission will continue to make annual recommendations to me on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage. As per established practice, Government will consider these recommendations in the context of prevailing economic conditions and as part of discussions on the budget.