German discount retailer Lidl has announced 700 new jobs and will invest €14 million in a pay rise for all staff at their stores across the country.
Lidl made the announcement at their Carrigaline store this morning.
The group say the pay rise- from the first of March- will be worth up to €2,500 per year to employees, while the 700 new jobs are in a variety of operational and office-based roles at stores, distribution centres and their head office in Dublin.
Lidl operate 176 stores in Ireland and are opening four new stores including one in Ballincollig in 2023.
Speaking to RedFM News in Carrigaline, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney says the announcement is hugely positive:
"The retail sector is the largest indigenous employer in Ireland, about 330-340,000 people employed in retail across the country. And of course Lidl Ireland are a big part of that now. Last year they spent over a billion euros buying Irish source products, and a third of that billion euros actually is exported to little stores outside of Ireland. So this is a big buyer of Irish produce, a big employer of Irish people. And of course, more and more stores across the country in well paid jobs".
