Proposals for introducing a living wage are due to be brought to the Cabinet this month, according to a recent statement by the Tánaiste. Currently calculated at €12.90 an hour in Ireland, the living wage is an hourly wage rate capable of providing sufficient income to have an acceptable minimum standard of living.

It is substantially higher than the current legal minimum wage, which was increased by 2.9% to €10.50 last January. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to move to a living wage, though no timeframe is given.

Fórsa said that an adequate living wage would better protect the living standards of low paid workers. The union’s national conference last month passed a motion saying that no public servant should earn less than the living wage.

Mr Varadkar said he would bring a Low Pay Commission report on the issue to the Cabinet this month and initiate a public consultation “with a view to begin to make it a reality in 2023.”

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