Opposition tables the National Minimum Wage Bill
People Before Profit have tabled the National Minimum Wage (Equal Pay for Apprentices and Young Workers) Bill 2026 to the Dáil. The Bill proposes to amend the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 by completely abolishing sub-minimum wage rates, thereby ensuring that young workers under 20 and statutory apprentices are legally entitled to the full national minimum wage.
As this is a private members’ bill from the opposition, it is highly unlikely to pass through the Oireachtas. However, it will give the opposition parties in the Dail a chance to highlight labour-related cost issues and criticism of the current sub-minimum wage rates for those aged under 21. Recently, the Government announced a deferral on any decision to abolish or halt sub-minimum youth wages until 2029. This followed various engagements and submissions from the SFA and others on the matter.
See details of the bill are here.
