The Government is set to implement a pay increase for thousands of workers in Ireland’s private security industry, following the approval of a new Employment Regulation Order (ERO) that will raise minimum hourly wages in the sector.
From July 22, the minimum rate of pay for an adult worker in the security sector will increase from €14.50 to €15.41 per hour. The move was confirmed by Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon, who said he would sign the new ERO in the coming days.
The order amends a previous 2024 regulation and reflects ongoing efforts to ensure fair pay across sectors deemed vital to public safety and the wider economy.
“A well-functioning security sector ensures public safety and is essential for the operation of a wide range of other industries and public services, including retail, entertainment and banking,” Minister Dillon said in a statement.
He acknowledged the sector’s recent growth and increased professionalism, noting that the wage increase would provide “greater certainty and stability for both workers and employers.”
The new ERO is the result of negotiations through the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the security sector, a process which involves representatives from both employers and employees. Once agreed upon, the recommendations are reviewed and approved by the Labour Court before being formally signed into law by the minister.
“This is a good example of how the JLC system works when both sides come to the table in good faith,” Dillon added. “I would like to thank the members of the Joint Labour Committee for Security and the Labour Court for their work in delivering this positive outcome.”
The pay rise is expected to benefit thousands of security personnel working in various sectors, including retail guarding, event security, and corporate services. It comes at a time when the industry is under increasing pressure to attract and retain skilled staff amid changing safety demands and rising living costs.
The announcement has been welcomed by trade unions and industry representatives, who had called for a review of wages in the sector to reflect its evolving responsibilities and rising costs of living.
The ERO will officially come into effect on Monday, July 22, 2025.
