We have updated our au pair pocket money information. This information comes from feedback that we have received from au pairs and families over the past year
Please see below
*From speaking to our families and au pairs, in families where an au pair is paid a higher rate of pocket money (€125+), their au pair usually stays longer (approx 1 year) than with families who pay a lower rate of pocket money (up to €100).
A Standard Au Pair
A standard au pair is an au pair who works either 30 hours per week plus 2 nights babysitting (with a maximum of 1 of these to be at the weekend) or 35 hours plus 1 night babysitting per week. We recommend that a standard au pair receive €100 pocket money per week.
Au pairs in cities usually receive more pocket money (average €100-120) than au pairs living in the country (average €80-100).
In cases where an au pair minds 3+ children or they care for more than 1 young child, the au pair will often receive more than the recommended €100 and may receive up to €140 particularly in cases where both parents work.
Demi Au Pair
A demi au pair works for 15-25 hours per week and 1 or 2 nights babysitting. A demi au pair will receive between €50-80 per week. A demi au pair is the least popular option of all au pairs for Irish families as many families require an au pair for longer hours than a demi au pair can provide.
Au Pair Plus
This is an au pair who works for 40 hours plus 1 night of babysitting. An au pair plus receives between €130-150 per week in families with up to 2 children. In families with more than 3 children or very young children an au pair plus will often receive between €150-170 pocket money per week.
Mother's Help
A live-in mother's help will often have English as their mother tongue or will be a fluent English speaker. A mother's help can work up to 10 hours per day and does not attend English classes. They usually have good childcare experience and are aged 21+ years. They work up to 50 hours per week plus 1 night of babysitting. A mother's help will often progress to working as a live out nanny after 1 or 2 years. A mother's help will receive pocket money of €150-200 per week. Mother's helps are a very popular option for families but it can prove difficult to find a Mother's help.
