HOW TO HIRE · CHILDCARE & FAMILY · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a homework helper in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A homework help in Ireland costs €15–€40 per hour, typically around €25. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a homework helper in five steps
- Are you on the Tusla register of childminding services, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — exam Preparation — many homework help services focus on preparing students for upcoming exams.
- How does tutor's experience change the price?Accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does subject matter change the price?It decides whether a specialist is needed at all. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does location change the price?Coming to your door is a convenience you pay for. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Study Skills Development — in addition to subject matter, homework help often includes teaching effective study skills — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a homework helper job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
Tusla Early Years Inspectorate — childminding registration
The childminding regulations apply only to a childminder caring for children in the CHILDMINDER'S OWN HOME.
Search the Tusla register of childminding services for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. tusla.ie →
Where the rules stand now
A childminder caring for 3 or fewer pre-school children, and 6 or fewer children in total, remains exempt for the transitional period. Registration becomes mandatory from September 2027. Registration is not yet mandatory for every childminder. Ask whether this childminder is registered, and if not, whether they fall inside the transitional exemption — both answers are legitimate in 2026.
Ask where they are in the process, and when they expect to be registered — the date is September 2027 either way. tusla.ie →
Garda vetting
National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 The regulation requiring vetting of household members aged 16 and over commenced on 1 February 2025. Vetting is carried out through a relevant organisation, not by a parent directly. Ask to see the disclosure the childminder holds.
Ask to see the garda vetting letter itself, with its date on it — not a statement that one exists.
Insurance
Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — exam Preparation — many homework help services focus on preparing students for upcoming exams.
A good answer: Accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It decides whether a specialist is needed at all. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Coming to your door is a convenience you pay for. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Study Skills Development — in addition to subject matter, homework help often includes teaching effective study skills — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a homework helper job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it — subject-Specific Assistance — homework help can cover various subjects, such as mathematics, science, and languages.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the homework helper starts, and an itemised invoice after — study Skills Coaching — teaching effective study habits, organisation skills, and exam strategies to improve overall academic performance.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They are not on the Tusla register of childminding services, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
- They will not talk about it: tutor's experience — accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price
- They will not talk about it: subject matter — it decides whether a specialist is needed at all
- They will not talk about it: location — coming to your door is a convenience you pay for
- A price for the homework helper before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
What a homework helper costs: €15–€40 per hour
Most homework helpers quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Math tutoring and Science support each carry their own band. Homework Help price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Homework helpers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
- Look firstTutor's experience — accreditation narrows the field and lifts the price — that is what the homework helper is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneSubject matter — it decides whether a specialist is needed at all — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfLocation — coming to your door is a convenience you pay for — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherDuration of each session — the first hour costs more than the ones after it — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the homework helper is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, safety is paramount, especially for in-person sessions; check for verified background checks.
- Subject-Specific Assistance
- Homework help can cover various subjects, such as mathematics, science, and languages.
- Study Skills Development
- In addition to subject matter, homework help often includes teaching effective study skills.
- Exam Preparation
- Many homework help services focus on preparing students for upcoming exams.
- Math Tutoring
- Focused assistance in various areas of mathematics, helping students from basic arithmetic to advanced calculus.
- Science Support
- Guidance in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics, aiding students in understanding core concepts and practical applications.
- Language Learning
- Help with learning a foreign language, including vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a homework helper: questions people ask
The cost of homework help can vary based on several factors, including the tutor's experience, the subject matter, and the location. Generally, specialised subjects or highly experienced tutors may command higher rates.
Homework help sessions usually last between one to two hours, depending on the student's needs and the complexity of the material. Longer sessions may be scheduled for more challenging topics or exam preparation.
While many tutors are generalists and can assist with a variety of subjects, some may have specific qualifications or expertise in certain areas. For complex subjects or advanced levels, a qualified specialist may be beneficial.
Some homework help services offer same-day or emergency assistance, but availability may vary. It's advisable to check with providers in advance, especially during peak homework times like exam seasons.
Yes, many tutoring services allow for the booking of multiple sessions, which can be beneficial for ongoing subjects or exam preparation. This can also sometimes lead to discounts for bulk bookings.
Homework help generally focuses on providing guidance and support rather than completing assignments for students. Tutors will assist with understanding concepts and problem-solving rather than doing the work outright.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in childcare & family
Homework helpers near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- Tusla — childminding registration opened 30 September 2024
- Tusla — childminding services FAQs
- Department of Children — new regulations for childminding
- National Action Plan for Childminding 2021–2028
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Revenue — CHILDMINDING (Children and education) — Exempt
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only