Ireland

Capital: Dublin

Currency: Euro- EUR

EUR

Ireland Labour Law and Employment Policy Overview

Key Legislation:
- Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997
- Employment Acts, 2003
- Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2015
Legal Characteristics:
- Aims to protect employee rights and promote a fair employment environment.
- Sets out standards for minimum wage, working hours, holidays, and redundancy.

Contract Types:
- Indefinite contracts
- Fixed-term contracts (less common)
Contractual Terms:
- Names of employer and employee
- Employer's address
- Contract duration (if applicable)
- Rate of pay or method of calculation
- Payment intervals
- Normal working hours
Language and Currency:
- Contracts must be written in English.
- Currency is Euro (EUR).

Standard Working Hours: 39 hours per week
Rest Days and Breaks:
- Minimum of 24 hours rest per week
- Minimum of 11 hours rest per day

Annual Leave: 20 days of paid annual leave per year
Public Holidays: 10 statutory public holidays
Special Leave:
- Sick Leave: 3 days of paid sick leave per year from 2023, increasing to 10 days by 2026.
- Maternity Leave: 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, with a minimum of 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after childbirth.
- Paternity Leave: 7 weeks of paid paternity leave, to be taken within 6 months of the child's birth.

Notice Periods:
- 13 weeks to 2 years of employment: 1 week's notice
- 2 to 5 years of employment: 2 weeks' notice
- 5 to 10 years of employment: 4 weeks' notice
- 10 to 15 years of employment: 6 weeks' notice
- 15+ years of employment: 8 weeks' notice
Redundancy Pay:
- Only applies to employees dismissed for business reasons with over 2 years of service.
- 2 weeks' pay per year of service, plus 1 additional week.
- Maximum annual salary for calculation is €31,200.
Unfair Dismissal Protection:
- Employees dismissed for unfair reasons (e.g., discrimination, harassment) may seek a statement of reasons for dismissal.

Personal Income Tax:
- Salary Range Tax Rate
  €0 - €40,000 20%
  €40,000+ 40%
Social Insurance Contributions:
- Employee: 4% of salary
- Employer: 8.5% to 10.75% of salary

Salary Range	Tax Rate
€0 - €40,000	20%
€40,000+	40%

Insurance Policy:
- Employers are not required to provide private health insurance for employees.
Coverage:
- Public healthcare system provides basic medical services.

Minimum Wage: €11.30 per hour
Pay Structure:
- Monthly salary, paid on the last day of the month
- Bonuses and allowances are common.

Permit Requirements:
- Workers from outside the EU/EEA require a work permit.
Application Process:
- Employer applies to the Irish Immigration Service on behalf of the employee.

Enforceability:
- Confidentiality and non-compete clauses are enforceable in Ireland.
Common Provisions:
- Restrict employees from using or disclosing the employer's confidential information after leaving employment.
- Restrict employees from working for competitors after leaving employment.

Legal Requirements:
- Employers must provide safety training and opportunities for skill development.
Government Support:
- Government provides funding and incentives to encourage business training.

Legal Requirements:
- Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, age, or disability is prohibited.
Enforcement:
- The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws.

Legal Framework:
- No specific legal framework governing remote work.
Tax and Insurance Implications:
- Remote work may impact tax and social insurance obligations.