A revised Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for Ireland's security industry came into effect on 28 September 2026, increasing the statutory minimum hourly rate for covered security workers from €15.41 to €16.15.

The increase of approximately 4.8% follows the approval of an amendment to the existing Security Industry ERO by the Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail.

The revised rate applies to security operatives employed by security firms who fall within the scope of the Order. The new rate is €2.00 above the current National Minimum Wage of €14.15 per hour.

Pay and Employment Conditions

In addition to the revised hourly rate, the Security Industry ERO sets out a range of sector-specific employment conditions.

These include:

  • Unsocial Hours Premium: A payment of €20 per qualifying shift where an employee works at least three hours between 9pm and 7am. This rate has applied since 1 January 2026.

  • Overtime: Hours worked in excess of an average of 48 hours per week over the roster cycle must be paid at time and a half.

  • Minimum Shift Payments: Employees scheduled or called in for shifts of less than four hours are generally entitled to a minimum of four hours' pay, subject to specified exceptions.

  • Additional Annual Leave: Employees with five years' continuous service are entitled to one additional day of annual leave, increasing to two additional days after ten years.

  • Sick Pay and Other Benefits: The Order also provides for sector-specific sick pay arrangements, death-in-service benefits and personal attack benefits, subject to qualifying conditions.

Compliance with the Revised Order

The increase places a statutory obligation on security employers to ensure that applicable hourly rates are reflected in payroll arrangements from 28 September 2026.

Where employees receive composite rates of pay incorporating different allowances or premiums, employers must provide a written breakdown demonstrating compliance with the statutory minimum remuneration requirements.

The Order also contains requirements concerning working arrangements, rosters, rest periods and employee welfare.

The revised ERO reflects the continued use of sectoral wage-setting mechanisms in Ireland, establishing minimum employment standards through the Joint Labour Committee framework.

For security employers, compliance extends beyond the hourly rate and requires consideration of the wider employment conditions prescribed under the Order.