Easily manage employment in Ireland

Full-time employees are entitled by law to a basic annual paid leave entitlement of 4 weeks. The individual employment contract or collective bargaining agreements may grant additional paid leave.

Expecting mothers must take at least to 2 weeks of pregnancy leave (before the due date) and at least 4 weeks maternity leave (after childbirth), with a maximum of 26 weeks in total with pay. The mother can also receive an extra 16 weeks of unpaid leave, which begins immediately after the end of maternity leave.

New parents (other than the mother of the child) can take 2 weeks' leave in the first 6 months after the baby is born or adopted. The leave can start any time in the first 6 months after the birth or adoption.

Irish employees with more than 13 weeks of service have a statutory right to paid sick leave for up to 5 days per year. The employee is required to present a doctor’s certificate confirming the inability to work on the first day of the sick leave as a minimum.

- Parental leave: Parental leave was extended to nine weeks effective 1 August 2024. Parent’s are entitled to parental leave during the first 2 years of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within 2 years of the placement of the child with the family. If an employee qualifies for Parent’s Benefit, they will receive €274 per week. An employer does not have to pay an employee while on parent’s leave, although employers may decide to ‘top-up’ employees’ pay during this leave.- Adoptive leave: upon adoption of a child, employees are entitled to 24 weeks of adoptive leave. Applies to women adopting a child or a man alone who is adopting a child. It is also possible to take an additional 16 weeks unpaid leave.- Carer's leave: allows employees to leave work temporarily to provide full-time care and attention for someone who needs it. Minimum of 13 weeks and up to a maximum of 104 weeks. The person to be cared for must need full-time care and attention, which has to be supported by a GP and ultimately decided on by an officer from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). This leave is unpaid, but the employee may be able to get social welface payments.- Domestic violence leave: The 2023 amendments to Ireland's Employment Law entitle employees to five paid days per year for domestic violence leave. This leave can be used for various purposes, including seeking medical attention, counselling, relocation, or legal assistance. Employees must inform employers and specify the dates of such leave. Employers are required to pay a prescribed daily rate for each day of domestic violence leave, with the rate determined by regulations set by the Minister.