An Ennis economist is recommending a phased introduction of the living wage if the Government goes ahead with the plan.
Micheál Collins of the Nevin Economic Institute addressed an Oireachtas Committee hearing which examined the issue of low pay.
The think tank has called on Government bodies and local authorities to lead the way in increasing the wages of those on low pay, even though IBEC says businesses can't afford it.
But Micheál Collins says if it were to go ahead it should be on a sector by sector basis.
It comes as a new report finds that life expectancy among better off people in Ireland is increasing quicker than among poorer people.
Research from the ESRI shows that the Celtic Tiger boom led to longer life expectancy for everyone, but working class groups didn't benefit as much as others.
Overall, Irish people are now living 15 years longer than they did in the 1950's while people in parts of Ennis.
