Living Wage Delay in Ireland
May 13, 2025
A Temporary Relief for SMEs or Just Delayed Pressure?
The recent government announcement that Ireland’s national living wage implementation will be delayed from 2026 to 2029 has sparked mixed reactions with many small and medium-sized employers expressing relief, but also ongoing concern about what lies ahead.
At MSS The HR People, we support SMEs across all sectors who are already feeling the squeeze from rising labour, insurance, and energy costs. While fair pay is a goal shared by many employers, the pace and scale of change matter.
So what’s Changed?
Originally scheduled for full rollout by 2026, the living wage, which is set at 60% of the median wage (around €14.75/hour), will now be introduced gradually with a new target date of 2029. The current national minimum wage is €13.50, meaning many employers would have faced steep annual increases to meet the new threshold.
Enterprise Minister Peter Burke acknowledged that requiring an 8–9% increase in wages in a single year would place "significant cost burdens" on businesses, particularly in sectors with tight margins such as hospitality, retail, and care, where many SMEs operate.
Concerns from SMEs
Many of our clients in the SME sector have voiced real concern about the long term affordability of the living wage, especially in a fragile economic environment:
- Profit Margins Already Under Pressure: Rising operational costs, combined with increased wage bills, may make it harder for SMEs to invest in staff development, innovation, or even remain viable.
- Risk of Job Losses: Some small employers may be forced to cut hours, reduce headcount, or delay recruitment to afford wage increases.
- Inflationary Impact: There are concerns that higher wages could further fuel inflation, driving up prices for consumers and making wage increases feel less impactful for employees.
What Should Employers Do Now?
While the delay provides breathing room, SMEs still need to plan strategically for future compliance with living wage requirements. Here’s how we can help:
- Review Pay Structures: We can help you benchmark wages against industry standards and identify where adjustments may be needed over time.
- Scenario Planning: Model the financial impact of phased wage increases so you can make informed decisions about resourcing and pricing.
- Alternative Retention Strategies: Where wage increases aren't immediately feasible, we support employers in boosting retention through benefits, flexible work options, and strong internal communications.
- Compliance & Risk Guidance: With regulations evolving, we’ll help ensure your pay practices align with both current and future employment law obligations.
A Balancing Act
While the government’s decision acknowledges the real financial strain on SMEs, the living wage is still coming, just on a longer timeline. For employers, the key is to act now, while there is still time to adapt gradually rather than face abrupt changes.
If your business is unsure how to prepare or is already feeling stretched, we’re here to help.
Talk to MSS The HR People for tailored, practical HR advice that understands the realities of running an SME.
Email:info@mssthehrpeople.ie Ph: 018870690
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MSS - The HR People Achieves CPD Accreditation: What It Means for You At MSS - The HR People, we’re proud to announce that we have been officially accredited to deliver CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training. This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, practical, and professionally relevant training to businesses across Ireland. But what exactly does CPD accreditation mean? Why is it significant? And, most importantly, how does it benefit the clients and professionals who choose MSS for their HR training? What Is CPD and Why Does It Matter? Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the process of tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge, and experience gained both formally and informally as professionals work, beyond any initial training. CPD is essential in every sector but especially in fields like HR, where employment law, workplace regulations, and people management practices are constantly evolving. CPD-accredited training is independently assessed and verified to ensure that it meets industry standards for learning outcomes, relevance, structure, and delivery. Accreditation confirms that the training is not just informative, but valuable, impactful, and capable of contributing meaningfully to a participant’s professional development. In short, CPD accreditation is a mark of quality - and we’re delighted to now carry it. What CPD Accreditation Means for Us Becoming a CPD-accredited provider is a significant validation of our work. It’s more than a badge or certificate - it’s recognition from an external body that our training: Delivers clear learning outcomes Meets the expectations of professional development standards Is structured, well-presented, and aligned with current best practices Is designed with real-world application in mind For our team, this accreditation reinforces the integrity of our training content and confirms that the learning we provide is of the same high standard expected by national and international professional organisations. It also shows that we take our role as HR educators seriously. Whether we’re delivering workshops on employment law compliance, HR policies, or best-practice recruitment and onboarding, we are doing so in a way that stands up to scrutiny, offers measurable learning outcomes, and contributes to the continuous upskilling of our clients. What It Means for Our Clients and Training Participants CPD accreditation matters because it gives our clients confidence - not just in what we teach, but in how we teach it. Whether you're an SME owner trying to stay compliant, a people manager learning how to lead teams effectively, or an HR professional seeking to grow your knowledge base, attending a CPD-accredited session with MSS brings many advantages: 1. Assurance of Quality With CPD accreditation, clients know that our training is rigorously vetted. You’re not just taking our word for it - an independent body has confirmed that the training you’re investing in meets a high standard of professional learning. 2. Tangible Professional Development For individuals building their careers or maintaining professional memberships, CPD points or hours gained through our training can be recorded as part of formal CPD logs. This is especially relevant for HR professionals, business owners, and line managers who must show ongoing learning as part of their industry obligations. 3. Enhanced Employer Credibility Businesses that invest in CPD-accredited training show their teams and stakeholders that they care about learning, improvement, and staying up to date. It’s a positive reflection on company culture and helps improve employee engagement and retention. 4. Peace of Mind Around Compliance From Inclusive Leadership, Dignity at Work and Managing Difficult Behaviours, our accredited training ensures that you and your team are not only aware of your responsibilities but are applying them correctly. That means fewer risks, fewer mistakes, and a more confident leadership approach across your organisation. 5. Career Progression for Attendees Participants who undertake CPD-accredited training can use it to build their professional profile, apply for promotions, or demonstrate ongoing learning to regulatory or membership bodies. It helps turn learning into career momentum. A Mark of Trust for the Future At MSS - The HR People, we’ve always believed that training should be more than a tick-box exercise. It should inspire new ways of thinking, give people the tools to do their jobs better, and create lasting value for the businesses we support. Being CPD-accredited adds another layer of trust for our clients. It shows that we’re not just offering what’s popular or convenient - we’re offering what’s recognised, verified, and of real value. As we look ahead, CPD accreditation allows us to expand our training offering with confidence. From one-hour sessions and lunch-and-learns to multi-day workshops and tailored in-house programmes, all our CPD-accredited training will continue to be: Grounded in practical, real-world HR expertise Updated regularly to reflect changes in law and best practice Delivered in an accessible, engaging format that suits busy teams Backed by independent quality assurance Let’s Grow Together Whether you’re new to HR responsibilities or managing people across multiple departments, learning is essential. With CPD-accredited training from MSS - The HR People, you’re guaranteed a high-quality learning experience that’s both professionally recognised and immediately useful in your role. Contact us today to find out more about our CPD-accredited training programmes or visit www.mssthehrpeople.ie/hr-training for more details.
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