The minimum wage jumps by 30c today, meaning thousands of Irish workers will now earn €10.10 per hour.
The hike - which comes just a week ahead of the next General Election - means that employees working a full week will now earn an additional €600 per annum.
Employment Minister Regina Doherty said: “Fine Gael believes that the minimum wage is one of the most important ways to support working families.
"That’s why we have increased the minimum wage on four occasions, with latest increase coming into effect today, bringing the hourly rate to €10.10.
“With this most recent increase in the National Minimum Wage, an employee on minimum wage who works a full 39-hour week will now receive just over €600 more per year.
“In fact, since 2016, a minimum wage employee working a 39-hour week has received a gross pay increase of €2,331. Since 2015, we have increased the minimum wage by 13.2% - ahead of the rate of inflation – thereby ensuring real increases in the earnings of the lower paid."
She added: "All types of work should pay well and it is Fine Gael's determination that a job should really lift people out of poverty. The ongoing increases in the minimum wage help to ensure that happens.
“Fine Gael will always prioritise the living standards of workers and their families.”
Ireland now has the third highest hourly National Minimum wage rate in the European Union.
