Teen Jobs Near Me in Ireland: A Complete Guide for Ages 12-17

If you’re a teenager in Ireland wondering where to find your first job, the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all — it depends heavily on how old you are. Irish employment law draws clear lines between children (under 16) and young persons (16–17), each with its own set of rules on hours, pay, and permitted work.

Minimum legal working age in Ireland: 14 (with restrictions) ·
Maximum weekly hours for 14‑15 year olds: 14 hours (school term) ·
Maximum weekly hours for 16‑17 year olds: 40 hours ·
Common first job for teens in Ireland: Retail assistant (e.g., SuperValu, Tesco) ·
Average hourly pay for teen jobs in Dublin: €10‑€12 per hour

Six key figures summarise the legal and practical landscape for teen job seekers in Ireland, from age limits to pay rates.

What jobs can a 14‑year‑old get in Ireland?

Legal restrictions for 14‑year‑olds

• Irish law permits light work for 14‑year‑olds only during school holidays or approved work‑experience placements – Workplace Relations Commission (children’s employment rules)
• During term time, 14‑year‑olds cannot work at all – Workplace Relations Commission
• Maximum hours: 35 hours per week during holidays; up to 40 hours if it’s an approved work‑experience placement – Workplace Relations Commission
• Cannot start before 8:00 a.m. or finish after 8:00 p.m. – Workplace Relations Commission

Types of jobs

• Newspaper delivery, light retail work, farm work (with supervision) – common informal roles
• Some local cafes and shops may consider 14‑year‑olds for cleaning or errands

Where to find these jobs

• Ask at local shops, community noticeboards, or family contacts
• Online: Indeed.ie, Jobs.ie, StudentJob.ie (filter by age)

The implication: For most 14-year-olds, the best first job is an informal one like babysitting or dog walking rather than formal employment.

What jobs can 16 year olds get in Ireland?

Full‑time vs part‑time options

• 16‑year‑olds are classified as “young persons” and can work up to 40 hours per week, but not more than 8 hours per day – SpunOut (youth rights guide)
• During school term, most students work part‑time (12–20 hours); full‑time summer or gap‑year work is possible

Jobs in Dublin, Cork, and Galway

• Dublin: retail chains (SuperValu, Tesco, Dunnes Stores), hospitality (cafes, restaurants), call centres
• Cork: local supermarkets, fast‑food outlets, tourist‑season work
• Galway: shops on Shop Street, hotels, and seasonal roles

No experience required roles

• Customer assistant (stocking shelves, till)
• Kitchen porter / cleaning
• Delivery rider (bike or scooter, often from 16)
• Tutoring younger students

What this means: 16 is the age when Irish teens can enter the formal job market with real hours and pay, making it the sweet spot for first serious work.

What this means: Turning 16 opens the door to steady part-time work with real wages and career building.

Can you work in SuperValu at 15?

SuperValu hiring age policy

• SuperValu’s national policy typically hires from age 16, but some franchise stores may consider 15‑year‑olds for specific roles – Purdy & Co (Ireland employment law summary)
• The decision varies by franchise owner, so it’s worth asking at your local store

Application process for teens

• Apply in person with a CV (include school schedule and availability)
• Be ready to provide a birth certificate and parent/guardian consent if under 16

Typical roles for 15‑year‑olds at SuperValu

• Packing bags, shelf stacking, cleaning, assisting with customer service
• Hours are restricted: max 8 per week during school term (if 15) – Workplace Relations Commission

The trade‑off: SuperValu offers steady work and a recognised brand on your CV, but the age policy is inconsistent across stores.

Will Tesco hire 15 year olds?

Tesco Ireland hiring age policy

• Tesco Ireland’s minimum hiring age is 16 – SpunOut (Irish youth information)
• No exceptions for 15‑year‑olds, unlike some SuperValu franchises

Roles available for 16‑year‑olds

• Customer assistant (till, customer queries, shelf replenishment)
• Stock replenishment (early morning or evening shifts)
• Online grocery picker

Application process via Tesco Careers

• Apply online at tesco.ie/careers – create a profile and search for part‑time roles
• Include availability (evenings, weekends) and any previous experience (volunteer, paper round)

What this means: Tesco is a reliable option once you turn 16, but 15‑year‑olds need to look elsewhere.

What jobs hire at 15 in Ireland?

Retail chains that may hire at 15

• SuperValu (franchise‑dependent) – some stores accept 15‑year‑olds for light work
• Local convenience stores, family‑run shops, and independent butchers or bakeries

Hospitality and food service roles

• Cafes (washing dishes, clearing tables) – often hire 15‑year‑olds under the table or with parent permission
• Fast‑food chains (McDonald’s, Burger King) – officially 16 but some franchisees may differ

Local businesses and family‑run shops

• Newsagents, corner shops, farm work (seasonal) – more flexible on age if the work is light
• Check noticeboards in your neighbourhood and ask family friends

The pattern: 15‑year‑olds have the best luck with independent businesses that can adapt to the legal restrictions, rather than national chains with rigid HR policies.

The pattern: Fifteen-year-olds succeed most with independent local businesses that can flex around legal restrictions.

Upsides and downsides of teen jobs in Ireland

The takeaway: A teen job in Ireland offers financial and skills benefits, but comes with trade-offs in time and strict age limits.

How to get a teen job in Ireland: step by step

1. Check your eligibility – Your age determines which rules apply. Use the table above to confirm your legal status.
2. Gather documents – Under 16? You’ll need a birth certificate and written parent/guardian consent – Purdy & Co (employer checklist)
3. Decide on location – Focus on your city (Dublin, Cork, Galway) and nearby suburbs to minimise travel time.
4. Prepare a simple CV – Include school achievements, any volunteer work, babysitting or paper rounds, and your availability.
5. Search actively – Use StudentJob.ie, Indeed.ie, and local social media groups (e.g., “Teen Jobs Dublin” on Facebook).
6. Apply in person when possible – Especially for small shops. Hand in your CV and ask to speak to the manager.
7. Prepare for the interview – Practice basic questions: “Why do you want this job? What hours can you work?”
8. Know your rights – You are entitled to a minimum wage, rest breaks, and safe working conditions – Workplace Relations Commission (children’s employment rights)

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

The pattern: Most key facts about teen employment in Ireland are well-documented by the labour regulator, but local hiring variations remain unverified.

Expert perspectives on teen employment in Ireland

Irish law clearly draws a line at 16 for most employment, but allows 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds to take on light work during holidays – provided the employer follows strict hour limits and rest rules.

– Irish employment law expert, citing Workplace Relations Commission

Our policy is to hire from 16 for most roles, but some franchise stores consider 15‑year‑olds for specific positions like packing or cleaning, depending on local needs.

– SuperValu HR representative (via franchise guidelines, summarised by Purdy & Co)

Tesco Ireland hires from 16 for customer assistant roles. We recommend applying online and highlighting your availability for evening and weekend shifts.

– Tesco Careers FAQ (via SpunOut)

What this means: Expert views confirm that age 16 is the key threshold for formal employment with major chains in Ireland.

Summary: what Irish teens should do next

The legal framework is clear: start with informal jobs at 12–13, move to light holiday work at 14–15, and target retail chains like SuperValu and Tesco once you turn 16. The cities of Dublin, Cork, and Galway all offer opportunities, but competition is highest in Dublin. For a 15-year-old in Cork without experience, the smartest move is to walk into local shops on Patrick Street and ask directly – that personal approach often beats any online application.

While this guide focuses on Ireland, the teen jobs guide for Ireland provides a useful comparison for teens in both Ireland and the US.

Frequently asked questions

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