Galway security guard welcomes minimum wage hike but questions if it will make a difference
It doesn’t take long to notice the hard work of security staff keeping pubs in Galway City safe on any given evening. Last week, Employment Minister Alan Dillon further recognised their hard work by approving a new order to increase wages.
An amendment to the 2024 Employment Regulation Order will commence on July 22, 2025, and reflect a 51c increase to bring the rate from €14.50 an hour to €15.01 for security industry workers.
Employment Regulation Orders ensures a minimum standard of pay and conditions for workers in certain sectors and defined a security industry worker as anyone employed by a licensed security firm who performs security services to protect people and property.
The Employment Minister said: “I am pleased to sign this amendment order which will provide a welcome and deserved pay increase for workers in this important sector,” calling attention to the “significant growth and professionalisation” the industry has seen over the years.
“A well-functioning security sector ensures public safety and is essential for the operation of a wide range of other industries and public services including in retail, entertainment and banking.”
This means more income for security guards who keep communities safe, like Gary O’Toole, who has worked in the sector in Galway City for almost four years.
Mr. O’Toole has held a variety of roles from door supervisor at local bars, shops, and restaurants to holding his current role in static security for a healthcare clinic.
While the Employment Minister says the boost will provide a greater “certainty and stability” in the sector, Mr. O’Toole is more cautious. He recalls that when the 2024 order came into effect during his time in retail security, his scheduled hours were cut, and his income stayed nearly the same.
“So there is a question of, will it? Will it actually benefit those people or will stores and security companies simply put the hours down to compensate for the increased rate? It's hard to know.”
Being in this field is difficult on one’s mental health because there are “hard calls to make”, Mr. O’Toole said, adding that remains a primary reason he may not see a role in the industry long term.
“A person working in security can, when they must deal with the situation or deal with certain kind of people, face a lot of verbal abuse. So, for some people that could have a shattering effect on a person's mental health.”
Some of his colleagues thrive on that but “for me” he said, “personally that just isn’t me.”
Mr O’Toole broke into the sector almost four years ago to make an income while he considered what his long-term goals were.
“I figured that security work isn’t something that a lot of people would want to do so I decided to work in this industry to earn an income for myself while I try to figure out what I wanted to do.”
Like most security workers, he was met with the realisation that the role consisted of late nights and weekends.
“When you're working in security a lot of people seem to be surprised that they have to work a lot on weekends.”
He added: “I would have to explain to people that security is needed when the majority of other people are often free from work. Security would be needed in shops or other sites or in bars where most people will be free to go out and have a good time. It's definitely not an industry for anyone that likes to go out.”
Security guards see much of what the public misses in nightlife, retail, and recreational spaces ensuring the safety of many people. The increase in pay is a step in the right direction but Mr. O’Toole said: “It’s hard to put an exact value on the kind of assertiveness needed for this kind of work.”
For now, Mr. O’Toole continues to serve in the security workforce while looking ahead to pursue a path in logistics.