A new minimum pay rate of €7 an hour comes into effect today.
The increase from the old rate of €6.35 is the third to be implemented since a minimum wage was introduced for the first time less than four years ago.
The increase was agreed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation as part of a national pay agreement last year.
The Minister for Labour Affairs Mr Frank Fahey said, "inspections carried out by my department have shown a high level of compliance with the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act.
"Labour inspectors will be checking over the coming weeks to ensure compliance with the increased rates."
