How agency work actually works in Ireland
Agency work has a mixed reputation, often from people who have never done it. Here is a straight account of how it works in Ireland, including the parts that are genuinely better and the parts that are not.
Last reviewed 10 November 2026 by the O'Neill & Brennan team
Who employs you
When you work through an agency, the agency is your employer, not the site you are working on. We pay you, we handle your tax and PRSI, and we hold your contract. The main contractor directs your work on site.
This means your pay does not depend on the client paying on time, and it means you keep continuity of employment when you move between sites.
Pay, holidays and entitlements
Agency workers in Ireland accrue annual leave in the same way as directly employed staff, and you are entitled to public holidays. Under the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act, you are entitled to the same basic pay and working conditions as if the client had hired you directly.
You are paid weekly in most cases, which many people prefer over monthly.
The honest trade offs
The advantages are flexibility, weekly pay, variety of sites and the ability to move on if a job is not working out. For trades especially, it often pays better than an equivalent permanent role.
The disadvantage is less certainty. A project can finish, or a package can end early. A good agency manages this by having your next start lined up, which is the main thing that separates one agency from another.
What to ask before you sign up
Ask how often they pay, whether there is a dedicated consultant you can actually reach, and what happens when a job finishes. If they cannot answer the last one clearly, look elsewhere.
Common questions
Do agency workers get holiday pay in Ireland?
Yes. Agency workers accrue annual leave and are entitled to public holidays in the same way as directly employed staff.
Who is my employer when I work through an agency?
The agency. We hold your contract, pay you and handle tax and PRSI, while the main contractor directs your work on site.
Am I paid the same as a directly employed worker?
Under the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act you are entitled to the same basic pay and working conditions as if you had been hired directly by the client.