Jobs for 14 Year Olds in Ireland: Hours & Pay Guide

So your 14-year-old is ready for their first job — maybe they want pocket money, some independence, or just a way to fill the long summer days. In Ireland, the rules around working at 14 are clearer than you might think, but there are still plenty of questions: how many hours, where to look, and what you can realistically earn.

Max daily hours during school holidays: 7 (Schooldays.ie) · Break requirement for under-16s: 30 minutes after 4 hours (Workplace Relations Commission) · Common teen jobs: Newspaper delivery, shelf-packing, babysitting (StudentJob IE, Superprof Ireland)

Three core figures define what a 14-year-old can legally do, with a sharp divide between term time and holidays. The pattern: during the school year, the law pulls back almost completely; during breaks, it opens up to regular part-time hours.

How many hours can a 14 year old work in Ireland?

What are the working hour limits during term time?

• According to the Workplace Relations Commission (the Irish employment regulator), 14-year-olds cannot work during term time at all. The only exception is approved work-experience programmes (up to 40 hours per week).

What are the working hour limits during holidays?

• During school holidays, 14-year-olds in Ireland may work up to 7 hours per day and a maximum of 35 hours per week, as confirmed by Schooldays.ie (a family information site) and the Workplace Relations Commission.
• They must also get a 30-minute break after 4 hours of work and a 14-hour rest period in every 24 hours (Workplace Relations Commission).
• Night work is forbidden: no work between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. (Schooldays.ie).

The implication: outside term time, a 14-year-old can hold a genuine part-time job of roughly 5–6 hours a day. That’s enough for a few shifts a week at a local shop or café.

Can my 14-year-old get a job?

What is the minimum age to work in Ireland?

• The minimum employment age in Ireland is 14 for light work, under the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 (Workplace Relations Commission).
• Parental or guardian consent is mandatory (Workplace Relations Commission).
• Employers must also see a birth certificate before hiring (Workplace Relations Commission).

What are the restrictions for 12-year-olds?

• 12-year-olds generally cannot work in Ireland, except in limited cultural or entertainment roles with a special permit. The Workplace Relations Commission notes that children under 14 are not allowed light work.
• In the US, the federal minimum age is 14 for non-agricultural jobs (U.S. Department of Labor), but this guide focuses on Ireland.

Why this matters: if your teen is under 14, paid work is off the table in Ireland — no exceptions for paper rounds or babysitting, even if done informally.

What are the best jobs for a 14-year-old?

Retail and hospitality jobs

• Supermarkets, cafés, and fast-food outlets often hire 14-year-olds for shelf-packing, waitstaff, or cashier roles. StudentJob IE (a teen job board) lists shelf-packing as a common option. Indeed Ireland also features merchandiser and retail-adjacent vacancies.

Babysitting and childcare

• Babysitting can pay well. Superprof Ireland (a tutoring and services platform) calls it a “real money-spinner” and recommends it for teens who take it seriously.

Dog walking and pet care

• Another flexible option: dog walking. Rates often range €10–€15 per hour. Superprof Ireland includes it in its list of common teen jobs.

Newspaper delivery and leaflet dropping

• Newspaper and magazine delivery is a classic starter job. StudentJob IE confirms it’s available for 14-year-olds.

Tutoring and lawn mowing

• Tutoring younger children or lawn mowing for neighbours are other independent income sources. Superprof Ireland mentions tutoring as a flexible teen job that can be done from home.

The pattern: these roles are flexible, often pay above minimum wage, and fit well within holiday hours.

Where can I work at 14 in Ireland?

Jobs in Dublin

• Dublin has the most opportunities. Job boards like Indeed Ireland and StudentJob IE show retail, café, and hospitality roles across the city.

Jobs in Cork

• Cork’s grocery stores, small supermarkets, and independent cafés are common first employers for teens.

Jobs in Galway

• Galway’s tourism industry creates summer work in shops, cafés, and accommodation.

Jobs in Limerick

• Local restaurants and retail chains in Limerick sometimes hire 14-year-olds for shelf-stacking or cleaning.

Jobs in Waterford

• Waterford: seasonal jobs include leaflet dropping, fruit picking, and working at family-run businesses.

How much can a 14 year old earn in Ireland?

Minimum wage rates for under-18s

• The national minimum wage for employees under 18 in Ireland is set by the low pay commission. Although the exact 2025 figure is not yet officially confirmed, previous years’ rates suggest it will be close to €8.12 per hour. The Workplace Relations Commission (the enforcement body) enforces this rate for all legal employment.

Average pay for common jobs

• Babysitting and dog walking can bring in €10–€15 per hour, according to Superprof Ireland.
• A part-time merchandiser role on Indeed Ireland was recently advertised at €13.50 per hour — above the youth minimum.
• Jobs paying €20 per hour are extremely unlikely for a 14-year-old; those rates are for skilled or adult positions.

How to get a job at 14 in Ireland

1. Confirm you meet the legal requirements: you must be 14, have parental consent, and have a birth certificate for the employer.
2. Get written permission from a parent or guardian.
3. Search for jobs on teen-friendly boards like StudentJob IE and Indeed Ireland, or ask locally at shops and cafés.
4. Apply directly, highlighting your availability during school holidays.
5. When offered a job, ask the employer to confirm they have the required work permit for under-16s.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• 14-year-olds in Ireland can work up to 35 hours per week during school holidays (Workplace Relations Commission)
• Under-16s must receive a 30-minute break after 4 hours (Workplace Relations Commission)
• Parental consent and birth certificate are required (Workplace Relations Commission)

What’s unclear

• Exact availability of jobs for 14-year-olds may vary by city and season
• How many small employers are fully aware of the legal requirements
• Whether some businesses will hire without prior experience
• The minimum wage for under-18s in 2025 is not yet officially confirmed by the Low Pay Commission

“14-year-olds can do light work during school term and holidays.”

— Citizens Information

“Children over 14 but under 15 may only do light work outside school term, with hours capped at 7 per day or 35 per week.”

— Schooldays.ie

“Babysitting can be a real money-spinner if done professionally.”

— Superprof Ireland

For a 14-year-old in Ireland, the path to a first job is straightforward if the legal boundaries are respected. The trade-off is clear: no after-school shifts, but full holiday weeks are allowed. Parents and teens should start by checking job boards like Indeed Ireland and StudentJob IE for positions that explicitly accept under-16s, and always confirm with the employer that they have the required permit. For the teen, the smartest move is to focus on holiday-season jobs with the highest pay per hour — babysitting or dog walking — while avoiding roles that require driving or heavy machinery.

If your teen is still 13, check our guide on What Is an Undergraduate? UK, Ireland and US Guide for educational planning, or compare savings options after they start earning with Best High-Yield Savings Accounts in Ireland.

For a more detailed breakdown of legal rules and best options, check out this similar guide for 14-year-olds in Ireland from another source.

Frequently asked questions