Labour Party proposes paid paternal leave and minimum wage increase

The Labour Party is planning to increase the minimum wage by €2 over a four-year period if the party is re-elected to power. According to the Irish Times, Tánaiste Joan Burton committed to adding 50 cents every year, seeing the wage rise to €11.15 in 2020.

The minimum wage is set to increase to €9.15 per hour in the new year following recommendations from the Low Pay Commission.

Speaking about the promise, Burton told reporters: "You need a wage-led recovery, and Fine Gael, their economics people, acknowledge that."

There are also plans to introduce paid paternal leave of three months after maternity benefit and paternity benefit has been completed. As yet, no further details about this proposal are available.