Employment Rights Ireland 2026

Key employment rights in Ireland include: the right to a written contract, minimum wage (€13.50/hour from January 2025), statutory sick pay (3 days in 2023, rising to 10 days by 2026), annual leave (4 working weeks per year), paid maternity and paternity leave, protection from unfair dismissal after 12 months service, redundancy pay after 2 years service, and the right to join a trade union. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) enforces these rights.

The national minimum wage in Ireland from January 2025 is €13.50 per hour for experienced adult workers. A sub-minimum rate applies for workers under 20 years of age. Living wage recommendations from the Low Pay Commission may also apply in 2026 — verify the current rate on gov.ie.

Most employees in Ireland are entitled to 4 working weeks paid annual leave per year (20 days for a 5-day week). The actual amount depends on your working pattern — you are entitled to the greater of: 4 working weeks based on normal working hours, or one-third of a working week for each calendar month worked, or 8% of total hours worked in the leave year (subject to a maximum of 4 working weeks).

If you have been dismissed and believe it was unfair, you can refer a claim to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) within 6 months of the dismissal (extendable to 12 months in exceptional circumstances). You must have at least 12 months continuous service to make an unfair dismissal claim. File a complaint on the WRC website using the online complaint form.

If you have been continuously employed for at least 2 years and are being made redundant, you are entitled to statutory redundancy pay. The amount is 2 weeks pay per year of service, plus 1 additional week, with weekly pay capped at €600. Redundancy pay is tax-free up to certain limits. Your employer must give you notice based on your length of service.