The Optus Glean promise: predictability
Three pillars. Three commitments. No exceptions.
Predictable cost. One fixed monthly fee, set against a defined scope and an annual indexed review. No variable hours. No surprise invoices. No padded callout charges. Budgeted once, paid by Direct Debit, reviewed once a year.
Predictable presence. The site is cleaned every day it is meant to be cleaned. A named primary cleaner is rostered to your contract, supported by a named relief who is already vetted, inducted, and trained on the same colour-coded system and IPC standard. The schedule does not depend on whether one person is available on one day.
Predictable freedom. A single point of accountability. One contract. One named manager. One number to call. Cleaning is no longer a problem the office has to manage — it is a service that runs.
Why cleaning in Ireland is structurally hard to get right
Most cleaning provision in Ireland — including in healthcare-adjacent settings — is delivered by a workforce that is structurally part-time and casual. A significant proportion of operatives across the sector also work as healthcare assistants in nursing homes, residential care, and acute hospitals. Cleaning shifts are typically taken when healthcare shifts are not available, and released when they are. This pattern is consistent with CSO labour data on accommodation, food, and administrative-support employment, and it is the underlying reason that buyers across Ireland encounter inconsistency from agencies they have contracted in good faith.
The pattern is reinforced by two background pressures specific to Ireland. Housing affordability limits the catchment for any role paying at or near the minimum wage. The Contract Cleaning Employment Regulation Order rate of €14.80 per hour for 2026, set under the Labour Court's sectoral employment framework, sits close enough to flexible care-sector pay that operatives drift toward whichever shift pays slightly more on the day. Both pressures pull cleaning staff away from contracted shifts and toward casual healthcare work.
The result, from the buyer's perspective, is the experience most practice managers, facilities leads, and procurement officers in Ireland describe: a clean that is half-completed when the contracted cleaner is available, missed entirely when they are not, and accompanied by recurring conversations with the agency about cover that may or may not arrive.
This is the structural problem Optus Glean is built to solve. Our operatives are fully PAYE-employed with guaranteed weekly hours, paid leave, and pension contributions under Irish auto-enrolment. They are paid above the ERO floor deliberately — because the structural reliability of the service depends on the cleaner choosing to remain in the role rather than rotating through casual healthcare shifts. A named primary cleaner is assigned to your site, supported by a named relief, both Garda-vetted and trained to Optus Glean's documented HIQA-aligned IPC standard.
Why Banks Need Specialist Cleaning Services
Banks and financial institutions in Ireland operate in one of the most regulated environments in the country. The Central Bank of Ireland sets exacting standards for how financial services premises are maintained, and customers form immediate judgements about the trustworthiness of a financial institution based on the physical appearance of the branch. A dusty counter, a stained carpet, or a smudged glass partition signals a lack of attention to detail — the last thing a customer wants to see in the place that manages their money.
Beyond aesthetics, bank cleaning presents unique security challenges that standard commercial cleaning companies are not equipped to handle. Every bank branch contains sensitive customer data, confidential documents, restricted-access areas, alarm systems, and high-value assets. Cleaning operatives must be Garda vetted, trained in document security protocols, and familiar with the specific access procedures for each branch. They must know which areas are restricted, how to handle alarm systems, and what to do if they encounter sensitive materials during cleaning.
Optus Glean provides dedicated bank cleaning teams across Ireland. Every operative is Garda vetted, background checked, and trained in financial services security protocols. We assign the same team to each branch every night, providing consistency, familiarity, and reduced security risk. Our supervisors conduct regular audits to verify compliance with both cleaning standards and security procedures.
Branch Cleaning Services
A bank branch has distinct zones, each with different cleaning requirements. The customer-facing banking hall must be immaculate during opening hours. The back-office areas where staff handle confidential transactions require cleaning around sensitive documents. Meeting rooms where financial advice is delivered must project professionalism. Staff areas need to meet workplace hygiene standards.
Optus Glean delivers a comprehensive branch cleaning programme covering every zone.
- Banking hall: floor cleaning (marble, tile, or carpet), counter and desk sanitisation, glass partition cleaning, customer seating, brochure displays
- Teller stations: counter surfaces, screens, equipment surrounds — no documents touched or moved
- Back office: desk cleaning around documents, floor care, bin emptying, kitchen and break room cleaning
- Meeting rooms and interview rooms: table and chair cleaning, glass walls, presentation equipment dusting
- ATM lobby: floor mopping, glass cleaning, ATM surround sanitisation, litter removal
- Reception and entrance: door glass, mats, signage, hand sanitiser stations
- Washrooms: full deep clean, consumable replenishment, hygiene unit servicing
After-Hours and Secure Access Cleaning
Bank cleaning is almost always performed after hours — typically between 6pm and 10pm on weekdays, once the last staff member has left and the branch has been secured for the evening. This presents logistical challenges that require experienced management.
Our team leaders carry branch keys, alarm codes, and security fobs. They follow documented opening and closing procedures for each branch: deactivating the alarm upon entry, activating it upon departure, ensuring all doors are locked, and confirming the building is secure. Every entry and exit is logged with a timestamp. If a branch alarm is triggered accidentally, our team leader contacts the branch manager and alarm monitoring company immediately, following the agreed escalation procedure.
For branches with restricted areas — server rooms, strongrooms, safe areas — our staff are trained to clean only within authorised zones. No operative enters a restricted area without explicit authorisation. These protocols are documented in the branch-specific cleaning specification and reviewed quarterly with the bank's facilities manager.
Document Security and GDPR Compliance
Financial institutions handle some of the most sensitive personal data in Ireland. Under GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, banks are required to protect customer data at all times — including during cleaning operations. A cleaning operative who reads a customer statement, moves a confidential file, or disposes of a document incorrectly could trigger a data breach.
Optus Glean eliminates this risk through rigorous training and documented protocols.
- All operatives sign confidentiality agreements before being assigned to a bank site
- Clean desk policy compliance: documents on desks are cleaned around, never moved or read
- Fallen documents are placed face-down on the nearest desk without being read
- Shredder bins and confidential waste containers are never opened or emptied by cleaning staff
- Waste segregation: general waste only — no paper waste is handled unless it is clearly non-confidential
- GDPR awareness training is delivered annually to all bank-assigned operatives
- Supervisor spot checks verify compliance monthly
ATM Area and Self-Service Zone Cleaning
ATM lobbies are high-footfall areas that require daily cleaning. Many bank ATM lobbies are accessible 24 hours a day, meaning they are used by members of the public who may not be bank customers. This results in higher levels of litter, dirt, and wear compared to the main branch. In wet weather, ATM lobbies accumulate significant amounts of water, mud, and debris tracked in from outside.
Our ATM area cleaning service covers floor cleaning and wet-weather mopping, glass door and partition cleaning, ATM surround sanitisation using anti-static and non-corrosive agents safe for electronic equipment, keypad and touchscreen sanitisation, litter and debris removal, and external entrance cleaning including mat cleaning and seasonal gritting. For 24-hour lobbies, we schedule cleaning during the lowest-traffic window, typically between 5am and 7am.
Bank Cleaning Pricing
Bank cleaning pricing depends on the size of the branch, the number of floors, security requirements, and cleaning frequency. Below are indicative 2026 pricing ranges for Ireland. Every contract is priced individually following a secure site survey.
| Service | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small credit union / single-branch office | €600 – €850/month | 5 nights/week, after hours |
| Mid-sized bank branch | €850 – €1,200/month | Customer areas + back office + meeting rooms |
| Large branch / financial services office | €1,200 – €1,500+/month | Multi-floor, full service |
| ATM lobby cleaning (standalone) | €150 – €350/month | Daily, including weekends |
| Quarterly deep clean | €500 – €1,200 | Carpets, upholstery, hard floors |
| Window cleaning (internal + external) | €200 – €500 | Monthly internal, quarterly external |
Note: Prices exclusive of VAT. Multi-branch contracts receive volume discounts of 10–20%. All pricing includes Garda-vetted staff, cleaning chemicals, equipment, and compliance documentation.
Multi-Branch Bank Cleaning Contracts
Many banks and credit unions in Ireland operate networks of branches across multiple counties. Managing cleaning across a branch network requires centralised coordination, consistent standards, and a single point of accountability. Optus Glean manages multi-branch cleaning contracts for financial institutions with branches from Dublin to Galway, Cork to Donegal.
Our multi-branch service includes a single account manager for the entire contract, standardised cleaning specifications across all branches, centralised reporting and compliance documentation, consistent quality audits across the network, and flexible scheduling to accommodate different branch sizes and opening hours. We assign dedicated teams to each branch within the network, ensuring the same vetted operatives attend each site every night.
Specialist Services for Financial Institutions
Beyond standard branch cleaning, Optus Glean provides specialist services tailored to financial services environments. Our carpet and hard floor cleaning service maintains the premium flooring found in banking halls and client-facing areas. Our window cleaning service keeps glass-fronted branches looking their best. We also provide periodic deep cleaning for branches undergoing refurbishment or preparing for regulatory inspections.
For financial services offices with server rooms or data centres, we provide specialist IT environment cleaning using anti-static equipment and HEPA filtration to prevent dust contamination of sensitive equipment.
Serving Financial Institutions Across Ireland
Optus Glean provides bank and financial services cleaning in every county in Ireland. We work with retail banks, credit unions, building societies, insurance companies, investment firms, and fintech companies. Whether you operate a single credit union branch in a rural town or a multi-floor financial services office in Dublin's IFSC, we have the security-cleared teams, the compliance systems, and the operational experience to deliver consistent, trustworthy cleaning services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does office cleaning cost in Ireland in 2026?
A corporate office is priced as a fixed monthly fee per site (or per floor, for multi-tenant buildings), tied to a defined scope and frequency. The Contract Cleaning ERO 2026 sets a €14.80/hour labour floor across the sector, but reputable providers quote the contract — multi-year term, annual indexed review, single monthly Direct Debit — not the hour. Pre-opening reset windows and out-of-hours deep cleans are inside the fee.
What standards apply to office cleaning in Ireland?
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 obliges the employer to maintain a safe workplace, supported by the General Application Regulations 2007. The cleaning programme should produce a documented audit trail — chemical SDS, signed-off task records, training register — that supports the office manager's safety statement and ESG reporting on supply-chain labour standards.
Why is cleaning consistency such a problem in Irish office buildings?
Most Irish cleaning provision is delivered by part-time or casual operatives, frequently subcontracted from one agency to another without disclosure, often paid at or near the ERO floor with no continuity to the site. The result is a different cleaner most weeks, no real quality baseline across floors, and tenant complaints that surface six months into a 36-month contract.
What does ESG-aligned cleaning supply actually mean?
ESG-aligned cleaning means the labour in your supply chain is documented and lawful: PAYE-employed staff (not casual), paid above the Contract Cleaning ERO €14.80/hour floor, with paid leave and PRSI/pension contributions. It also means the chemical regime has SDS on file, waste streams are tracked under the Waste Management Acts, and the provider can answer a tenant or auditor question on day one. ESG is not a sticker — it is auditable supply-chain integrity.
What's the difference between PAYE and casual cleaning contracts in corporate?
A PAYE-employed cleaner is on payroll with the company that signs the contract, paid above the Contract Cleaning ERO floor, with paid leave and pension. A casual or self-employed operative is none of those things — and is often subcontracted in via a labour agency the buyer never signed with. PAYE staffing is the only model that supports a named primary cleaner per floor with continuity, and the only one that survives an ESG supply-chain audit.
How do I evaluate a cleaning provider for a multi-floor office?
Three checks. One: are the operatives PAYE-employed by the company that signs the contract, or subcontracted? Ask for a written commitment, not a tagline. Two: who is the named primary cleaner and named relief per floor or zone? Three: can the provider produce a transparent reporting pack — daily/weekly logs, audit scores, tenant feedback — that ties scope to evidence?
What should be in a cleaning contract for a corporate office?
Scope and frequencies per zone (workstations, meeting rooms, washrooms, kitchens, lift lobbies, reception), pre-opening reset window, named primary cleaner and named relief, the chemical regime with SDS, ESG and supply-chain confirmations, fixed monthly fee, annual indexed review, transparent KPIs and reporting, and a clean exit clause. No per-hour pricing. No undisclosed subcontracting.
How often should an office be professionally cleaned?
A typical corporate office runs a daily out-of-hours core clean (workstations, washrooms, kitchens, communal areas), a pre-opening morning reset where occupancy is heavy, weekly periodic tasks (high-level dusting, glass), and quarterly or six-monthly deep cleans (carpets, soft furnishings, fabric). In Ireland, multi-tenant buildings often add a midday washroom check and lift-lobby reset.
How Optus Glean handles staff shortages
Every Optus Glean contract is staffed on a redundancy model rather than a single-person model. A named primary cleaner is assigned to the site at contract start. A named relief is assigned alongside them. Both are PAYE-employed by Optus Glean, both are Garda-vetted, both are inducted on the site's specific layout, access protocols, and colour-coded equipment system, and both are trained to the same documented HIQA-aligned IPC standard. Substitution is built into the contract from the first day, not arranged on the day cover is needed.
Sick day cover. When the primary cleaner is unable to work, the named relief is deployed. The office site contact is notified by 06:30 on the morning of the absence by SMS or email, with the name of the relief who is attending. The relief follows the same task list, uses the same equipment, and finishes within the same window. The standard of clean is unchanged because the relief was prepared for this scenario before the absence happened.
Annual leave cover. Annual leave is rostered weeks in advance and the relief is scheduled to cover the full leave period. The office is informed at the start of the leave period — not on the morning leave begins. This is the same model used in clinical rota management: known absences are pre-staffed, not improvised.
Long-term cover. If the primary cleaner is absent for more than two weeks (extended illness, parental leave, bereavement leave), cover is drawn from the wider trained bench rather than relying on the single named relief. The office is kept informed of the cover plan, the named individuals involved, and the expected duration. Continuity of standard is maintained because every operative on the bench is trained to the same documented standard.
Permanent reassignment. If the primary cleaner moves to a new permanent role within Optus Glean — promotion, relocation, retirement — the relief is promoted to primary on a planned timetable, a new relief is trained on the site, and both are introduced to the office before the handover takes effect. There is no day on which the office discovers, after the fact, that their cleaner has changed.
Substitution is Optus Glean's operational problem, not the office's risk to absorb. The buyer pays a fixed monthly fee for a defined scope to be delivered, every day it is meant to be delivered. The mechanism by which we deliver it — primary, relief, bench, retraining — is our cost to manage and our risk to carry.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-06
