Summary of Statutory Leave Entitlements in Ireland-a Quick and Easy Guide

Are you confused about statutory leave in Ireland?

I don’t blame you-it can be very confusing.

Here is a quick and easy guide to statutory leave entitlements in Ireland. I hope you find it helpful. (Please read this disclaimer, though).

Annual Leave

Full time employee

4 working weeks where employee works in excess of 1,365 hours

Part time employee

8% of the hours worked in a leave year or

1/3 of a working week for each month in which the employee worked in excess of 117 hours

Relevant legislation: Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Public Holidays

There are 9 public holidays in Ireland.

The employee is entitled to a paid day off on the holiday, or a paid day off that month, or an extra day’s annual leave, or an extra day’s pay.

Relevant legislation: Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

Maternity Leave

Female employee is entitled to

26 weeks’ unpaid maternity leave (may qualify for maternity benefit)
16 weeks’ additional maternity leave (no maternity benefit)

Note: the contract of employment may provide for pay during maternity leave, but there is no legal obligation on the employer otherwise.

Reasonable time off for medical visits connected with pregnancy

Relevant legislation: Maternity Leave Act, 1994 and Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act, 2004.

Read: Maternity Leave in Ireland-what you need to know

Adoptive Leave

24 consecutive weeks’ unpaid leave for female, and additional 16 consecutive weeks unpaid.

Relevant legislation: Adoptive Leave Acts, 1995-2005

Carer’s Leave

13-104 weeks if continuously employed by that employer for 12 months.

Relevant legislation: Carer’s Leave Act, 2001.

Parental Leave

18 weeks unpaid leave for each child under the age of 8 (child with long term illness under 16 years). There is no social welfare benefit like maternity benefit.

Paternity Leave

2 weeks’ paternity leave for fathers. This will be paid at a rate of €230 per week and will be based on the same prsi requirements as maternity leave.

Force Majeure Leave

3 days in any 12-month period or 5 days in a 36-month period. Force Majeure leave is paid leave.