It's legalised hyper-exploitation of young people.

A report published by the ESRI found that businesses are employing more and more young workers at sub-minimum wage rates.

In 2022, we introduced the 'National Minimum Wage (Equal Pay for Young Workers) Bill'. Our Bill proposed to amend the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 to remove the discriminatory sub-minimum wage rates imposed on those employed between the ages of 16 and 20.

A minimum wage should be the minimum wage
https://dublinpeople.com/news/dublin/articles/2026/03/31/murphy-calls-for-end-to-legalised-discrimination-and-hyper-exploitation-of-young-workers/?amp=1