Hiring Young People in Ireland
Young employees are people aged 14 to 18, who work for an employer. As young workers are generally in full-time education, they are protected by a different employment law than adult workers. This is to make sure their work does not put their health or education at risk.
Restrictions on Employing 14 & 15 Year-Olds
By law, children ages 14 and 15 cannot be employed in regular full-time jobs.
However, they can:
- Do light work during the school holidays
- Take part in an approved work experience or educational program
- Work in film, culture, advertising, or sport
Working Hours for 14 & 15 Year-Olds
Outside school term time
Can work a maximum of 35 hours a week or up to 40 hours if they are on approved work experience.
During school term time
Children aged 14 are not allowed work during school time. Children aged 15 can do 8 hours of light work a week.
Restrictions on Employing 16 & 17 Year-Olds
Young people aged 16 and 17 can work a maximum of 8 hours a day, up to 40 hours a week.
Young people are only allowed to work between 6 am and 10 pm.
Paying Young Employees
All employees have a right to get a payslip. A payslip is a written statement from the employer that explains your total pay before tax, and all details of any deductions from pay.
Minimum Wage
Since 1 January 2022, the national minimum wage is €10.50 per hour. However, not everyone is automatically entitled to get this.
Aged 20 and over- €10.50 an hour
Under18 - €7.35
Aged 18 - €8.40
Aged 19 - €9.45
Your employer can pay you more than the minimum wage if they want, but they are not required to by law.
Employers’ Responsibilities
Employers must keep records for every employee under 18, including:
- The employee’s full name
- The employee’s date of birth
- The employee’s starting and finishing times for work
- The wage rate and total wages paid to the employee
The employer must keep these records for at least 3 years.
Employers must also give employees aged under 18 a copy of the official summary of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, and other details of their terms of employment within one month of taking up a job.
Employers with employees under 18 must also display the official summary of the Act in their workplace, where it can easily be read by staff.
Breaches of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act
Employers who are found guilty of an offense under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act can be fined up to €1,904.61 and an extra €317.43 a day for a continuing offence.
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