East Clare Restauranteur Claims Sector Needs Urgent Support To Meet Any Minimum Wage Increase

An East Clare Restauranter is calling for a targeted funding package for the sector in budget 2024. It comes as the Low Pay Commission is to recommend an increment of €1.50 per hour to the national minimum wage from January. The sector has already absorbed increments in labour costs this year with new measures such as the statutory sick pay scheme. Garry Pepper from Pepper's Bar and Restaurant in Feakle says while hard-working staff don't deserve to bear the brunt of the cost of living crisis, the government needs to recognise the impact on smaller firms.