The Government is to seek the advice of the ESRI before making a decision on increasing the national minimum wage by a euro per hour by next summer.
The Labour Court recommended yesterday the hourly rate should be raised to €8.30 from January 1st and to €8.65 from July 1st.
The employers' group Ibec warned last night that any increase in wages would push up the costs of goods and services.
Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen said this morning the possible impact of such a pay rise on employment and national competitiveness would be considered before any decision was made.
He said he intends to make a decision in time for the next wage increase, which it was agreed in the Towards 2016 pay agreement would take place on January 1st.
The Irish Hotels' Federation said the Labour Court's recommendation of a 13 per cent increase was "alarming" and urged Mr Killeen to reject it.
Such an increase would have a massive negative impact on competitiveness in the hospitality sector where payroll costs have substantial increases in recent years, according to IHF chief executive John Power.
Ibec director Brendan McGinty said the proposed increase exceeded the terms of the present national agreement, Towards 2016, and was in excess of inflation.
"Even before this proposed adjustment, in terms of after tax income, Ireland already has the highest rate of national minimum wage across Europe," Mr McGinty said.
The national minimum wage was introduced in Ireland in April 2000. The hourly rate was then set at £4.40 (€5.59). Since then there have been four increases with the current rate, set on May 1st, 2005, standing at €7.65 per hour.