Chapter 10 · 9 sectors
Your sector: the rules above the statutory floor
HSE, civil and public service, teachers and SNAs, construction, security, cleaning, childcare, au pairs, healthcare assistants: the schemes and orders above the statutory floor. Public-service circulars, Employment Regulation Orders and Sectoral Employment Orders set rates and schemes that are better than the Acts’ minimum, and nobody else explains them for the person on the roster.
- SectorAu pairs in Ireland: you are an employee, with the minimum wageAu pairs in Ireland are employees: the WRC has said so since 2016. You are owed the minimum wage (€14.15 in 2026) less only the set board and lodging allowance, breaks, leave and written terms.Read →
- SectorChildcare and early years workers: the Employment Regulation Order and Core FundingThe early years services Employment Regulation Order sets minimum rates by role above the national minimum wage, raised again in 2025. How the roles work, the link to Core Funding and the WRC route.Read →
- SectorCivil and public service: sick leave, probation, pay and disciplineThe civil service sick leave scheme under Circular 05/2018 (3 months full pay, 3 half, in 4 years), temporary rehabilitation remuneration, one-year probation, pay and the Disciplinary Code.Read →
- SectorConstruction workers: the Sectoral Employment Order, CWPS and your rightsThe Sectoral Employment Order for construction sets minimum rates by category above the minimum wage, overtime premiums, and pension and sick pay through CWPS. What it covers and how to enforce it.Read →
- SectorContract cleaners: the Employment Regulation Order, transfers and travelThe contract cleaning Employment Regulation Order sets a minimum rate above the national minimum wage. What happens when the cleaning contract changes hands, travel between sites, and the WRC route.Read →
- SectorHealthcare assistants and home carers: hours, travel time, sleepovers and permitsWhat healthcare assistants and home carers need: the QQI Level 5 requirement, travel time between clients as working time, sleepovers, HSE and private pay, the permit layer and the WRC route.Read →
- SectorHSE staff: annual leave, sick leave, pay and proceduresWhat HSE employees get above the statutory floor: annual leave by grade, the public service sick leave scheme (3 months full pay, 3 half, in 4 years), maternity, the pay agreement and unions.Read →
- SectorSecurity workers: the Employment Regulation Order, your PSA licence and hoursThe security industry Employment Regulation Order sets a minimum rate above the national minimum wage, with overtime and allowances. The PSA licence, the 48-hour average over six months, and the WRC.Read →
- SectorTeachers and SNAs: maternity, parental and sick leave, contracts and payTeachers and SNAs get full pay for 26 weeks' maternity leave under Department circulars, the public service sick leave scheme, a CID after two years since the Ward report, and panel rights.Read →
Not in one of these? The statutory rules in the guides apply to every employee, and the minimum wage checker gives the floor.