Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage Act 2000 provides that the minimum wage rate for an experienced adult employee from 1 July 2007 is €8.65 an hour, (was €8.30). An experienced adult for the purposes of the National Minimum Wage Act is an employee who has an employment of any kind in any 2 years over the age of 18.

There are some exceptions to those entitled to receive the national minimum wage. The legislation does not apply to a person employed by a close relative (for example, a spouse or parent) nor does it apply to those in statutory apprenticeships. Also some employees such as young people under 18 and trainees are only guaranteed a reduced or sub-minimum rate of the national minimum wage.

The National Minimum Wage Act provides the following sub-minimum rates:

-An employee who is under 18 is entitled to €6.06 per hour (this is 70% of the minimum wage)
-An employee who is in the first year of employment since the age of 18 is entitled to €6.92 per hour (80% of minimum wage)
-An employee who is in the second year of employment since the date of first employment over the age of 18 is entitled to €7.79 per hour (90% of the minimum wage)