New official forecasts predict a strong post-Covid economic bounce in Ireland, with growth of 4.5% per cent this year and 5% in 2022.

Discussions aimed at agreeing an ‘action plan’ for civil service reforms are expected to be completed within the next two weeks. The action plan will outline measures to be implemented under the reform provisions of the new public service agreement, Building Momentum.

Ireland’s national minimum wage could be replaced by a superior ‘living wage’ once the Low Pay Commission produces a report on the issue later this year. A living wage, defined as the minimum necessary for a single full-time worker to meet their basic needs, is currently estimated at €12.30 an hour. That’s 20% more than the current statutory minimum wage of €10.20.

Fórsa president Michael Smyth is organising a mental health webinar for members, which will focus on building resilience. The one-hour virtual event takes place at 7.00pm on Thursday 6th May.

Almost 90% of workers aged over 55 believe they suffered age discrimination when looking for jobs. More than a third of respondents to a new survey also said employers considered them too old for sectors such as IT.

A new report has revealed that 80% of the Travelling community are unemployed, and recommends a programme of public sector work experience and internships as part of a Government strategy to increase Traveller employment. 

The issue of period poverty is back in the headlines after supermarket chain Lidl this week announced it is to make period products free in its stores across the country.

Ireland’s minimum wage workers are likely to have been disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic compared to their European counterparts, according to new Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) research.