Sick Leave in Ireland

In Ireland, sick leave refers to time taken off work due to illness or injury. The Sick Leave Act 2022 introduced statutory sick pay for employees, ensuring they can still receive pay during certain periods of sick leave. Here’s a simplified overview of how it works:

1. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

• Employees have the right to statutory sick pay (SSP) if they are unable to work due to illness.
• To qualify for SSP:
  • The employee must have been employed for at least 13 weeks.
  • They must provide a medical certificate from a doctor.
• Statutory sick pay covers:
  • 3 days of paid sick leave per year (increasing to 5 days in 2024, 7 days in 2025, and 10 days by 2026).
  • Sick pay is at a rate of 70% of normal wages, capped at €110 per day.
• Employers are responsible for paying statutory sick pay. After this period, employees may apply for Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection.

2. Illness Benefit

• If an employee is sick for longer than the statutory sick leave period, they may be eligible for Illness Benefit.
• To qualify for Illness Benefit, the employee must have made enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
• Illness Benefit is paid by the state, and the amount depends on the employee’s PRSI contributions and duration of illness.

3. Employer Sick Pay Schemes

• Some employers offer more generous sick pay schemes, which may provide more than the statutory sick leave. This will depend on the employment contract or company policy.