Can I take annual leave in Ireland?
Yes — every worker is entitled to at least 4 working weeks of paid annual leave a year. Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, full entitlement (4 weeks) accrues once you work at least 1,365 hours in the leave year. There are alternative accrual methods — one-third of a working week per month in which you work 117+ hours, or 8% of all hours worked (capped at 4 weeks) — and the employer must apply whichever gives you the most leave. Crucially, Ireland's 10 public holidays are a separate statutory entitlement on top of your 4 weeks. You keep accruing annual leave while on certified sick leave, maternity, paternity, adoptive and parental leave. On leaving a job you must be paid for leave accrued but not taken. In short: yes — at least 4 weeks, plus the public holidays.
📋 The rules
- Statutory minimum: 4 working weeks paid leave
- Full 4 weeks accrue at 1,365 hours worked
- Or 8% of hours worked (capped at 4 weeks)
- The 10 public holidays are separate and on top
- Leave keeps accruing during sick/family leave
🔓 Exceptions
- Each public holiday: a paid day off, extra day's pay, or day in lieu (employer's choice)
- Part-timers get public-holiday benefit after 40 hours in the prior 5 weeks
- Unused accrued leave must be paid out when you leave
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Annual-leave and public-holiday disputes go to the WRC, normally within 6 months of the contravention (extendable to 12), and the WRC can award compensation. For each public holiday you're entitled to one of: a paid day off, an additional day's annual leave, an extra day's pay, or a paid day off within a month — the employer chooses. Part-time workers qualify for public-holiday benefit if they've worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks ending the day before the holiday. On leaving, you must be paid for annual leave and any outstanding public-holiday entitlement accrued but not taken. Beware a myth: "public holidays come out of my 4 weeks' annual leave" is false — the 10 public holidays are an additional entitlement, not part of the four-week minimum. To use it: request leave in line with your employer's procedures, and check your accrual method.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How much annual leave am I entitled to?
The statutory minimum is four working weeks of paid annual leave per leave year under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Many contracts offer more, but four weeks is the legal floor. Your entitlement builds up as you work, and your employer must use whichever accrual method gives you the most leave.
Are public holidays part of my annual leave?
No. Ireland's 10 public holidays are a separate statutory entitlement, on top of your four weeks of annual leave. For each public holiday you're entitled to one of a paid day off, an additional day's pay, an extra annual-leave day, or a paid day off within a month, with the employer deciding which.
How is annual leave calculated?
There are three methods: four weeks once you've worked 1,365 hours in the leave year; one-third of a working week for each month you work at least 117 hours; or 8% of all the hours you work, capped at four weeks. Your employer must apply whichever of these gives you the greatest entitlement.
Do I accrue leave while on sick or maternity leave?
Yes. You continue to build up annual leave while on certified sick leave, and during maternity, paternity, adoptive and parental leave. So time spent on these protected leaves still counts towards your annual-leave entitlement, and you don't lose out on holidays because you were unable to work during those periods.
What happens to unused leave if I leave my job?
When you leave a job, your employer must pay you for any annual leave you've accrued but not taken, along with any outstanding public-holiday entitlement. This is paid as part of your final wages. You can't simply lose accrued leave on departure — it must be converted into a payment in lieu.
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