Ireland observes ten public holidays annually, often commemorating significant events or prominent figures. These holidays, also known as bank holidays, see the closure of institutions, schools, banks, and partial operation of public transport.
List of Public Holidays in Ireland:
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- St. Brigid’s Day – First Monday in February or February 1 if it falls on a Friday
- St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
- Easter Monday
- First Monday in May
- First Monday in June
- First Monday in August
- Last Monday in October
- Christmas Day – December 25
- St. Stephen’s Day – December 26
While Good Friday is not officially a public holiday, many institutions, including schools, observe it as a holiday.
Public Holiday Entitlements for Employees:
Most employees in Ireland are entitled to paid leave on public holidays, which can be availed in one of the following ways:
- Paid leave on the public holiday.
- An additional day added to their annual leave.
- An extra day’s pay.
- Paid leave on another day agreed upon within the same month as the public holiday.
Employers must inform employees of their entitlements at least 21 days before the holiday. If not communicated at least 14 days in advance, employees are entitled to take paid leave on the public holiday itself. These provisions are outlined in the Organization of Working Time Act 1997.
Entitlements for Part-Time Employees:
Part-time employees are eligible for public holiday benefits if they have worked at least 40 hours in the five weeks leading up to the holiday. If a public holiday falls on a day they usually work, they are entitled to leave with pay. If the holiday falls on a non-working day, they are entitled to one-fifth of their weekly pay.
When calculating the 40 hours, any days taken as annual leave can be counted as worked days.
Handling Disputes:
If an employer fails to provide the entitled leave or benefits, employees can file a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission under the Organization of Working Time Act. Complaints must be submitted using the WRC’s online form within six months of the issue.
For detailed information on public holidays and employee benefits, visit the Citizens Information website.
Contact Information:
- Author: Adv. Jithin Ram
- Phone: 089 211 3987
- Law Firm: Louis Kennedy Solicitors
- Email: info@louiskennedysolicitors.ie
Credit: Adv. Jaya Tharayil, Louis Kennedy Solicitors