Annual Leave Rules in Ireland

In Ireland, most employees are entitled to a minimum of four working weeks of paid annual leave per year, as stipulated under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. This legislation ensures that employees accrue annual leave based on the hours they work, with a pro-rata calculation for part-time employees. Specifically, employees earn 1/3 of a working week for every month of service, which translates to 8% of their total hours worked in a leave year, subject to a maximum of four working weeks. Employers are required to provide employees with their leave entitlements and ensure that they take their leave within the relevant leave year, which is typically from April 1st to March 31st of the following year.

It is important to note that there are specific conditions under which employees may lose their entitlement to annual leave, such as if they do not take their leave within the designated timeframe or if they leave their employment without having taken their accrued leave. Additionally, certain categories of workers, such as those on maternity leave or sick leave, may have different entitlements regarding the accrual and use of annual leave. For more detailed information on employee rights regarding paid annual leave in Ireland, you can refer to the official website of the Workplace Relations Commission at www.workplacerelations.ie.