Getting paid
Late payment compensation in Ireland: when it applies
Irish late-payment recovery compensation can apply when statutory interest falls due on a qualifying commercial transaction.
The short answer
Irish late-payment recovery compensation can apply when statutory interest falls due on a qualifying commercial transaction.
Irish late-payment recovery compensation can apply when statutory interest falls due on a qualifying commercial transaction. It is not a standard penalty for every household invoice. Check the customer type, debt and applicable rules before asserting entitlement.
Explore the wider invoicing and getting paid guides for the steps around this decision.
Published compensation bands
DETE’s recovery-cost guidance sets out these bands:
| Relevant debt amount | Fixed compensation |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding EUR 1,000 | EUR 40 |
| Above EUR 1,000 and not exceeding EUR 10,000 | EUR 70 |
| Above EUR 10,000 | EUR 100 |
The boundary wording matters: EUR 1,000 falls in the first band. Verify the current primary source and applicable interpretation instead of using a loose ‘under EUR 1,000’ shorthand.
Keep the underlying debt clear
An illustrative EUR 1,200 commercial invoice belongs to the middle band if the transaction and other conditions qualify. That example does not establish eligibility for a real invoice or explain every possible effect of credits, part payments or disputes.
Record the original invoice, due date, supply evidence, agreement and payments. Keep any recovery-cost claim identifiable rather than silently changing the invoice balance without explanation.
Do not apply business rules to household work
A private homeowner’s garden invoice is not made a qualifying commercial transaction just because the supplier is a business. Use the customer’s actual status and agreement. Obtain appropriate advice for disputed interpretation or recovery steps.
JobDiary supports invoice and balance records. This page does not promise automatic compensation calculation, entitlement checking or debt recovery. The operational record helps preserve the facts; current law and the particular agreement determine any justified claim. Check the official recovery-cost source before acting, especially at the exact thresholds.
Connect this to the next step
Continue with How to track partial payments and outstanding balances. If the next issue is elsewhere in the workflow, use How to spot jobs that were completed but never invoiced.
See the JobDiary product tour to check how the product supports this work. Use the current product description and a trial to verify the fit for your business.
Sources and scope
Source scope reviewed on 1 October 2026. Worked examples are illustrative; they are not market averages or customer results.
When it is in JobDiary.
The method above is the point. This is what it looks like when the diary is doing it for you.
See how it works| Time | Job | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | 7 The GreenMow, edge, hedge | Done |
| 09:15 | 23 Seabury DriveMow, weed | Done |
| 10:00 | 9 Brookfield LawnMow, feed | In progress |
| 11:05 | 12 Castle ParkMow, hedge rear | Next |
| 12:00 | 31 Church RoadMow | Scheduled |
| 13:15 | 18 The RiseMow, edge, bins out | Scheduled |
Product screens use demonstration data.
What this guide is based on
JobDiary was developed around a real Co. Louth trades operation with2 vans and live business records since 2025. This guide provides an editorial framework; worked examples are illustrative. Product screenshots use demonstration data.
