Recruitment finance Ireland for staffing agencies

Most use payroll finance or invoice finance. The funder advances cash against client invoices once timesheets are approved and invoiced, so wages go out weekly while clients pay in 30 to 60 days. A working capital loan can sit alongside it to cover peaks. Working capital loans are among the products our lender panel covers.

Invoice finance advances cash against invoices your agency raises and collects. Payroll finance is a specialist version for staffing companies: some providers also run temp payroll and invoicing for you, funding wages from approved timesheets before clients pay. It can suit smaller agencies without a back office, but fees cover the extra service. Compare the total cost, minimum terms and notice periods of both.

Yes. Employment agencies need a licence under the Employment Agency Act 1971. The Workplace Relations Commission issues it for one year, the current fee is €500, and you must advertise your intention to apply in a national daily newspaper first. Submit renewals four weeks before expiry. Funders will usually ask for a copy, and a lapse can hold up a finance application or an existing facility.

Since 1 January 2026, employers must enrol eligible employees aged 23 to 60 earning €20,000 or more a year who aren't in a payroll pension, and pay employer contributions of 1.5% of gross pay for the first three years, rising to 6% by year ten. Contributions aren't due on pay above €80,000. Temps on your payroll are usually your employees, so build the cost into your charge rates.

Usually. Invoice and payroll finance limits tend to grow with your invoiced sales, which suits fast-growing agencies. Funders cap exposure to each client and look at timesheet approval, client quality and margins. Agree a limit with headroom for peaks such as Christmas, and check minimum terms, notice periods and fees before you sign.

The funder usually won't advance against disputed hours, or will ask you to repay what it advanced. Signed or electronically approved timesheets, clear contracts and prompt invoicing reduce disputes. Repeated disputes with one client can lead a funder to stop funding that client's invoices altogether, which can leave a gap in your payroll cash.

Budget 2027 announced a rise from €14.15 to €14.94 an hour from 1 January 2027; it takes effect when the Minister signs the order. If your contracts pass pay rises through to clients, your margin holds; if rates are fixed, your agency absorbs the cost. Check your terms of business now and give clients notice, and remember that employer PRSI and auto-enrolment contributions rise with gross pay too.

Your clients' credit quality, your margin per placement, how timesheets are approved, and your contracts with clients and workers. Expect to provide your employment agency licence, tax clearance, payroll records and an aged debtor list. A clean record of paying PAYE, PRSI and USC on time matters, because tax arrears are a warning sign for any lender.