Questions carers ask us most

No. A driving licence is an advantage, but you can apply without one. The form asks whether you have one.

You don’t need perfect English. On the form you rate yourself from 1 to 5. The better your English, the more families we can offer you.

Yes. If you’re a qualified nurse in your home country, you’re paid at our higher nurse rate. Put your nursing qualification on the form.

You need at least 1 year’s recent experience caring for older people. More experience means higher pay. A care or first aid course helps, but isn’t required.

You need the legal right to work in the EU, for example as a citizen of an EU country. If you’re not an EU citizen, you need permission to work in Ireland before you start.

A normal week is 35 hours: 5 days of 7 hours, with the other 2 days off. Some families need 6 days, up to 48 hours a week. Hours over 35 a week are paid as overtime.

You’re employed by the family you live with, under a legal Irish contract.

€2,300 to €3,200 a month before tax, depending on your hours (35 to 48 a week). After tax, about €2,100 to €2,700 a month.

You’re paid in euro and see a payslip for every payment in your carer account. We talk through the pay for each placement with you before it starts.

Yes. You get paid holidays and Irish public holidays, as Irish law sets out.

No. You live with the family, and your room and meals are free. That’s why you can save most of your pay.

If you fly to Ireland for a placement, you pay for the flight, and once you pass the 3-week trial the cost is paid back to you. Keep your ticket and receipt.

Every placement starts with a 3-week trial, so you and the family can see if it’s a good fit.

Before you start a placement you need Garda (police) vetting, two references and your passport or ID card. You also sign your contract online.

Our office team is there for the whole placement, not just the start. We also help you apply for your Irish PPS number.