Current Region & Language

Ireland

Employment in Ireland

Updated on: April 1, 2025

Currency

Euro

Employer Taxes

Employer contributions are about 11% of gross salaries, including social insurance.

Payroll Frequency

Monthly

Language

Irish, English

Date Format

DD/MM/YYYY

Ireland By The Numbers

5 million

Population

EUR 500 billion

GDP

9

National Holidays

Country Information

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Weekly Working Hours

Regular working hours is limited to 48 hours per week. There is no statutory entitlement to receive additional pay for overtime work in Ireland but the average salary for the total number of hours worked should not fall below the National Minimum Wage.

National Holidays

  • New Year’s Day
  • St. Patrick’s Day
  • Easter Monday
  • May Day
  • June Bank Holiday
  • August Bank Holiday
  • October Bank Holiday
  • Christmas Day
  • St. Stephen’s Day

Leave

In Ireland, employees are entitled to various types of leave. Holiday leave provides employees with 4 working weeks of paid annual leave. Sick leave is available to employees, although there is no statutory requirement for employers to provide paid sick leave, though some employers offer paid sick leave schemes. For maternity leave, female employees are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, with 2 weeks being mandatory leave immediately before or after the birth. Statutory maternity pay is available for up to 42 weeks, subject to eligibility. In terms of paternity leave, fathers or partners are entitled to 2 weeks of paid leave, which must be taken within 6 months of the child’s birth.

Employment Contracts

Yes, in Ireland, a key terms statement must be agreed upon in writing and issued to the employee within 1 month of commencing employment. Additionally, a written employment contract is required for all employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and fixed-term employees. This ensures transparency and outlines the rights and obligations of both the employer and the employee.

Types of Employment

Employees, temporary agency workers, and independent contractors are all recognized types of employment.

Employment Costs

11.05% (PRSI – employer social security)
Pension auto enrollment to be introduced 30 September 2025

IC Class Factors

A status assessment is a comprehensive process that involves evaluating multiple factors to determine the nature of the working relationship. Key considerations include, but are not limited to, the level of control exercised by the employer, the degree of subordination, the exclusivity of the arrangement, the economic risks borne by the individual, their integration into the organization, the subcontracting of work, and the right to substitution. These factors must be assessed collectively to ensure an accurate classification of the worker’s status.

Labor Leasing

The placement of contingent or temporary workers at third party sites requires a labor leasing license.

Minimum Wage Requirements

The minimum wage is 13.50 EUR per hour.

Medical Benefits

In Ireland, the employer contributes 11.05% towards the Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI), while the employee contributes 4%. Employees are entitled to 5 days of statutory sick leave/pay per year after 13 weeks of employment, which can be enhanced with mutual agreement between the parties. From day 6 of illness, the state provides Illness Benefit or Injury Benefit.

Probationary Periods

The probationary period can have a 6 months maximum.

Termination Notice

In Ireland, the statutory notice period for termination of employment is determined by the length of service. Employees who have been with their employer for under two years are entitled to one week’s notice. For employees with two to five years of service, the notice period increases to two weeks. Employees with five to ten years of service are entitled to four weeks’ notice, while those with ten to fifteen years of service are entitled to six weeks. Employees who have been with the company for fifteen years or more are entitled to eight weeks’ notice. This notice period applies to both the employer and employee when terminating the employment contract.

Severance

In Ireland, employees are entitled to two weeks’ pay for each year of service, plus an additional week’s pay as part of their severance package. In cases of collective redundancies, where more than five employees are terminated at once, specific rules apply that may involve enhanced compensation. Additionally, if the termination process is not followed correctly, employees may be entitled to additional compensation for loss of office, which can range from three to twelve months’ salary, depending on the circumstances.

Pre-hire Checks

In Ireland, employers are required to conduct immigration and right-to-work checks, particularly for non-EEA nationals. Credit checks may be carried out if they are justified by the role, such as for positions involving financial responsibilities. Criminal record checks are permitted if the role necessitates such checks, but they must comply with legal requirements and the principle of proportionality. Pregnancy tests are prohibited by law, as they are considered discriminatory. Health screenings may be conducted but are only allowed in limited circumstances, such as when required for specific job roles or as mandated by law.

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