Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
516. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if an employee working as a live-in carer may have a deduction made from their wages in respect of bed and board; and if so, what constitutes a reasonable deduction; if there is a prescribed limit or cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39321/26]
View answerEmployees employed in other people’s homes have an equal entitlement to the employment rights and protections available to any other employee including the right to receive at least the national minimum wage, along with appropriate working conditions and protections. These measures are designed to ensure fairness and to prevent any risk of exploitation in private homes.
The Payment of Wages Act 1991 establishes a range of rights for all employees in relation to payment of wages. The Act regulates how wages and salaries are paid and what deductions may be made from same. Under this Act, an employer is not permitted to make deductions from an employee's wages unless the deduction is authorised under the contract of employment, required by statute or is made with the prior written consent of the employee.
An employer employing someone in their home may make deductions from wages where the employee is provided with meals and/or lives in the place of employment to amounts specified in the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, as amended. With effect from 1 January 2026, the National Minimum Wage Order 2025 amended these amounts to the following:
• Board rates: €1.27 an hour
• Lodging rates: €33.42 a week or €4.77 a day.
If an employee believes that their employer has made an unlawful deduction from their pay, then they may refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission. Complaints should be made using the online complaint form available on www.workplacerelations.ie.
A complaint must be brought within 6 months of the date of the deduction. The time limit may be extended for up to a further 6 months, but only where there is a reasonable cause which prevented the person from bringing the complaint in the normal time limit.
