Leave Policy in Ireland

Ireland maintains a comprehensive statutory leave framework that establishes baseline entitlements for employees, covering areas such as public holidays, sick leave, maternity and paternity leave, and bereavement leave. These statutory requirements set the minimum obligations that employers must meet, while individual company policies may build upon them to offer additional provisions.

For employers hiring in Ireland, whether directly or through an Employer of Record, understanding and complying with these leave entitlements is a critical part of workforce management. Navigating this framework accurately ensures that recruitment and ongoing employment practices align with Irish legal requirements.

Annual Leave (Vacation)

An employee’s right to annual leave or holidays in Ireland is defined by both legislation and their employment contract. The Organization of Working Time Act 1997 outlines these entitlements, granting a basic annual paid leave of four weeks (20 working days). However, employment contracts may offer more generous leave. For part-time employees, leave is calculated as 8% of hours worked, with a maximum of four working weeks per year.

Public Holidays

Sick Days

• In Ireland, workers are legally entitled to 5 days of sick pay per year starting from the first day of illness, provided a medical certificate is submitted by the 4th day of sickness.

• Sick leave can be taken consecutively or on separate days.

• Employers must pay sick leave at 70% of the employee's regular salary, capped at $128 (€110) per day.

• To qualify, employees must have been employed for at least 13 weeks.

• Companies have the option to implement more generous sick pay policies.

• This entitlement is part of a broader 4-year phased sick pay legislation:

Maternity Leave

Paternity Leave

Fathers in Ireland are entitled to seven weeks of paternity leave, which can commence at any time within the first six months after the birth of a child or the placement in the case of adoption. Relevant parents include the child's father, the mother's partner (spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant), and the parent of a donor-conceived child. Employers are not obligated to pay employees during paternity leave; however, employees may qualify for paternity benefits if they have made sufficient PRSI contributions.

Parental Leave

Parents in Ireland are eligible for up to 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave for each child under the age of 12.

• Employees must have been with their employer for at least one year to qualify.

• A written request for parental leave must be provided to the employer at least six weeks prior to the desired start date.

• Adoptive leave allows one adoptive parent up to 24 weeks of unpaid leave from the date the child is placed in their care.

The Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021:

• Has passed all legislative stages in the Oireachtas.

• Effective from April 2021.

• Covers all children born since November 2019.

• Addresses gaps in the Adoption Leave Act regarding male same-sex couples.

• Provides greater flexibility for adoptive parents to decide which parent will take adoptive leave and benefits.

Effective from 1 July 2022:

• Parents' leave has been extended from 5 to 7 weeks.

• Available to parents with a child under 2 years old or those who adopted a child within the last 2 years.

• Additional leave must be taken by the child’s second birthday or within 2 years of the adoption placement.

No service requirement for eligibility for parents' leave.

• Employees can claim the associated benefit from the Department of Social Protection if they have the required level of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.

Carer’s leave

Employees in Ireland may take unpaid leave to care for someone in need if they have worked with the same employer for 12 months and have sufficient PRSI contributions. Carer's leave can be up to 104 weeks, taken either continuously or in multiple blocks of at least six weeks. Employees must provide six months’ notice, but shorter notices may be accepted or rejected by the employer. For two simultaneous care recipients, eligibility extends to 208 weeks with a single application.

Hassle-Free Leave Policy Management in Ireland  with Gloroots

At Gloroots, we understand that navigating leave policies can be complex, especially when expanding your business and hiring across borders. Our platform ensures compliance with Ireland labor laws, maintains clear leave balances, processes leave requests smoothly, and generates comprehensive leave reports. By partnering with Gloroots, you can focus on scaling your business while we handle the complexities of employee leave management. Contact us to discover how Gloroots can simplify your HR processes and enhance your operations in Ireland.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leave Policy in Ireland

1. How much annual leave are employees entitled to in Ireland?

Employees are generally entitled to a minimum of four working weeks of paid annual leave per leave year. For employees whose entitlement is calculated based on hours worked, the statutory method can provide 8% of hours worked, subject to a maximum of four working weeks.

2. How many paid sick days are employees entitled to in Ireland?

Employees who have worked for their employer for at least 13 weeks are entitled to up to 5 days of statutory sick leave per calendar year. Statutory sick pay is 70% of gross earnings, subject to a maximum of €110 per day. The government confirmed in 2025 that the entitlement would remain at five days rather than increase to 10 days in 2026.

3. How long is maternity leave in Ireland?

Employees are entitled to 26 weeks of statutory maternity leave, with the option of an additional 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Maternity Benefit may be available through the Department of Social Protection for employees who meet the relevant PRSI contribution requirements.

4. How much paternity and parents' leave can employees take in Ireland?

Eligible employees are entitled to 2 weeks of statutory paternity leave, which must generally be taken within 26 weeks of the birth or placement of the child. Parents are also entitled to 9 weeks of parents' leave for each eligible child, subject to the applicable conditions and benefit requirements.

5. What happens when a public holiday falls on an employee's normal day off?

Employees are entitled to a public-holiday benefit, but this does not necessarily mean they receive the following working day off. Depending on the circumstances, the employer can provide a paid day off on the holiday, a paid day off within a month, an additional day of annual leave, or an additional day's pay.