The minimum wage officially increases to €10.10 an hour from today.

It marks an increase of 30 cent that came from a recommendation of the Low Pay Commission which was made in October last year.

The increase has come from a recommendation of the Low Pay Commission which was made in October last year.

However, the implementation of the recommendation had been postponed because of uncertainty over Brexit.

It now means that Ireland has the third-highest rate for the minimum wage across the European Union.

The living wage, which is based on the minimum essential standard of living in Ireland, is €12.30 per hour.

However, Sven Spollen-Behrens, Director of the Small Firms Association, said he does not think it is a good idea.

He said: "Our small business owner/managers are facing difficult times.

"Whilst the economy is still doing well, whilst we are at full employment, our business sentiment of small businesses has gone down substantially and there are two reasons for that.

"One, Brexit, and second, the cost burden on small businesses has really increased over the last 24 months substantially."

The Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty has said the increase is a way to support working families.

Reporting by Ben Finnegan