What is the National Minimum Wage?

The National Minimum Wage is €7.00 per hour (€7.65 per
hour with effect from May 1st 2005) for an experienced
adult worker.


What is an experienced adult worker?


An experienced adult worker is an employee who has any
work experience in any two years since turning age 18.

Employees who are in their first year of employment
since turning 18 are entitled to €5.60 per hour (€6.12
per hour with effect from May 1st 2005).

Employees who are in their second year of employment
since turning 18 are entitled to €6.30 per hour (€6.89
per hour with effect from May 1st 2005).

Employees who are under 18 years of age are entitled
to €4.90 per hour (€5.36 per hour with effect from May
1st 2005).

Who is entitled to Minimum Wage?

The National Minimum Wage Act applies to all employees
except in the following circumstances:

Close relatives of the employer such as: father,
mother, son, daughter, brother and sister.

Any employee under going structured training, such as
an apprenticeship (other than hairdressing
apprenticeships.

What can I do if I'm not getting the correct Minimum
Wage?
Complaints regarding breaches of the National Minimum
Wage Act 2000 can be made in confidence to the
Employment Rights section, Department of Enterprise,
Trade and Employment, Davitt House Adelaide Rd. Dublin
2. The Department's Inspectors, who have powers to
enter places of work and examine records, do not
reveal without the consent of the person making the
complaint, whether the inspection is a routine one or
is a result of a complaint. Complaints regarding
minimum wage may also be referred to a Rights
Commissioner. Accessing Rights Commissioner
application forms can download the relevant complaint
form.