Irish Workplace Rights & Entitlements
A clear reference to your entitlements at work in Ireland: pay, working time, leave, family leave and ending employment.
Minimum notice-period finder
How much notice your employer must give you when ending your employment (Minimum Notice Acts).
Pay
National Minimum Wage
€13.50 per hour for experienced adult workers (from 1 Jan 2025). A flat 20% sub-minimum rate applies to under-18s; 80%/90% rates apply to entrants aged 18–19 and over-19s in first/second year of employment.
Payslip rights
You're entitled to a written payslip showing gross wage and a breakdown of every deduction. Deductions can't be made unless your contract allows it or you've agreed in writing.
Equal pay
Men and women doing equal work are entitled to equal pay. Victimisation for asserting this right is unlawful.
Working time
Maximum hours
An average of 48 hours per week — usually averaged over 4 months (6 months in some industries). You can opt out of the 48-hour cap in writing.
Breaks
A 15-minute break after 4.5 hours' work, and 30 minutes after 6 hours (which can include the first break). Daily rest of 11 consecutive hours and weekly rest of 24 consecutive hours.
Night work
Night workers are limited to an average of 8 hours per 24-hour period. Special 8-hour limit applies in dangerous/health work.
Zero-hours & banded hours
If you regularly work more hours than your contract states, you're entitled to be placed in a band of hours that reflects the reality, within 12 months.
Leave & holidays
Annual leave
At least 4 paid weeks per leave year — calculated as the greater of a) 4 working weeks, b) 1/3 of hours worked each week (up to max), or c) 8% of annual hours. Leave entitlement doesn't include public holidays, which are additional.
Public holidays
10 public holidays per year (New Year's Day, St Brigid's Day, St Patrick's, Easter Monday, first Mondays of May, June and August, last Monday in October, Christmas Day, St Stephen's). You're entitled to a paid day off, an extra day's pay, or an extra annual leave day.
Sick leave
From 2024, 5 statutory sick days per year (rising 3 days per year to 10 by 2026) at 70% pay, capped at €110/day. Requires 13 weeks' continuous service.
Family leave
Maternity leave
26 weeks of maternity leave (at least 2 weeks before the birth and 4 after). A further 16 weeks of unpaid additional leave is available. Maternity Benefit applies if you've enough PRSI contributions.
Paternity leave
2 weeks of paternity leave in the first 6 months after birth/adoption. Paternity Benefit applies with sufficient PRSI contributions.
Parent's leave
7 weeks of parent's leave in the first 2 years after birth/adoption — available to each parent. Paid Parent's Leave Benefit applies with sufficient PRSI contributions.
Parental leave
26 weeks of unpaid parental leave per child (under 13, or 16 if the child has a disability/long-term illness). Requires 12 months' continuous service to qualify.
Carer's leave
Up to 104 weeks of unpaid leave to provide full-time care, while keeping your job and certain employment rights.
Ending employment
Minimum notice periods
The Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts set minimum notice based on service — see the calculator below. Your contract may give more.
Unfair dismissal
Most employees with 12 months' continuous service (or any length for certain dismissals like pregnancy, trade union, or protected-disclosure reasons) can claim unfair dismissal to the Workplace Relations Commission.
Redundancy
If you've 2+ years' continuous service, you're entitled to a statutory redundancy payment of 2 weeks' pay per year of service plus 1 week's pay (capped at €600/week). Lengthy lay-offs or short-time working may also allow you to claim redundancy.
Probation
Probation periods aren't fixed by law but are common in contracts, typically 3–6 months and can be extended with agreement. Your full statutory rights apply from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get paid on a public holiday if I don't work it?
Yes — if you've worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks ending on the day before the public holiday, you're entitled to a paid day off, an extra day's pay, or an extra annual leave day.
Can my employer deduct money from my wages?
Only if your contract allows it or you've agreed in writing. Unauthorised deductions are unlawful.
What are my rights during probation?
All your statutory rights (minimum wage, breaks, holidays, equality legislation) apply from your first day of work — probation only allows the employer to assess suitability.
How much notice must I give when resigning?
There's no statutory minimum notice you must give — it's set by your contract. Giving the contractual notice helps you keep good references and avoids breach of contract claims.
indicative only — get proper advice
This guide summarises common Irish employment entitlements for general information using 2025/2026 figures — it's not legal advice and entitlements can depend on your contract, service, hours and circumstances. For full detail, see citizensinformation.ie or the Workplace Relations Commission, or talk to a solicitor for advice on your own situation.