Increases to social welfare payments and the minimum wage come into effect this week. 

Anyone aged 20 or over and earning the minimum wage must now be paid at least €10.50 an hour - up from €10.20 yesterday. 

Commenting on the rise, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: 

“It is estimated that at least 135,000 people will get this increase with many others on slightly higher pay levels also getting a knock-on increase. 

“I hope this, along with the other measures we are announcing as part of the Budget, will go some way to protecting the lowest paid workers from the rising cost of living.”

Social welfare

An estimated 1.3 million people in receipt of social welfare payments will also see their incomes increase this week as well. 

"They [the increases] represent the first across-the-board increases since 2019," Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said.

The Social Welfare Office on Thomas Street, Dublin. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Pensioners will see their incomes rise by up to €5 a week - with smaller rises given to those who made fewer contributions during their working lifetimes. 

The Living Alone Allowance for single individuals in receipt of social welfare will also increase to €22 a week - up from €19 last year. 

Parents too can expect to see children’s allowance jump by €5 for children over 12 and €2 for those under.