{
  "id": 10439491,
  "title": "Group says living wage should rise to €16 an hour",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/group-says-living-wage-should-rise-to-16-an-hour",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T12:17:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0928/1593215-living-wage/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Living Wage Technical Group (LWTG) has proposed raising the living wage to €16 per hour, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year's rate of €15.40. Unlike the minimum wage, which is determined by government policy, the living wage is defined as the minimum income necessary for a full-time worker to achieve a modest standard of living in Ireland. The LWTG, founded in March 2014, has determined the living wage rate based on various factors, including rising energy costs and rents. Over the past year, living costs have increased by an average of 3.1%, primarily due to these factors, as well as the introduction of the 'My Future Fund’ auto-enrolment pension scheme. The Low Pay Commission has recommended a 5.6% rise in the minimum wage, which could see it increase by 79 cents per hour from €14.15 to €14.94. Robert Thornton, a Research Manager at the Vincentian MESL Research Centre and LWTG member, emphasized that policy measures could limit the living wage's growth, but noted that the discrepancy between the living wage and the national minimum wage remains substantial. Dr. Nat O’Connor, another LWTG member, highlighted that low-income workers often struggle with high rents and energy expenses, making it difficult for them to manage their finances. The living wage is calculated to ensure full-time workers can secure a basic standard of living.",
  "summary": "The Living Wage Technical Group has said that the living wage should rise to €16 an hour, a 3.9% increase from last year's rate of €15.40 per hour.",
  "key_points": [
    "Living Wage Technical Group proposes €16 hourly rate, 3.9% increase",
    "Living wage differs from minimum wage, defined by living costs",
    "Discrepancy between living wage and minimum wage remains significant"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}