Varadkar announces living wage plan to bring hourly rates up to €12.17

It is planned that the minimum wage will be abolished in 2026, which the Tánaiste said will require legislation.

Leo Varadkar said the €12.17 rate was arrived at by the Low Pay Commission using 'an objective basis for calculation' which was backed up by research. Picture: PA Wire

The Government has moved to phase in a living wage that will see salary increases for the lowest-paid workers.

From next year, it is proposed that the living wage will be calculated as 60% of median wage in any given year.