“RGDATA had consistently told Minister Burke that further increases in employment costs were a threat to the future of many viable independent food retailers so we welcome this announcement which will bring much relief to many shop owners who are struggling to deal with all the additional cost pressures on their businesses,” RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley commented.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke confirmed the delay saying “The aim is to achieve a living wage under the current Government by 2029”. He also pointed out that the Government had increased the Minimum wage by 29% since January 2022 and significant improvements in workers’ rights had been implemented since then.