As we journey into 2026, it’s timely to reflect on some key developments and noteworthy cases that shaped Irish Employment law last year.

Minimum Wage

The start of 2025 saw an increase in minimum wage to €13.50 per hour. From 1^st January 2026 it has increased further to €14.15 per hour.

Gender Pay Gap Reporting

2025 saw gender pay gap reporting requirements extended to employers with at least 50 employees.

Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025

This new legislation provides for a process whereby employees whose contract of employment specifies a retirement age below the state pension age (currently age 66) may notify their employer that they do not consent to retire at that age. There are certain notification requirements and on receipt of the notification, the employer must not enforce the contractual retirement age before providing the employee with a “reasoned written reply”. The new legislation was signed into law by the President just before Christmas 2025 however the provisions are not effective until such time as the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment makes the necessary commencement order.

Further details can be found in our Article, written on the first publication of the new Bill.

Continue reading the full article here

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