A new pay scheme of up to €110 per day is now available to workers in Ireland.
Until this year, Irish workers had no legal right to be paid if they were on sick leave from their job. However, from January 1, this changed with employees receiving more sick leave entitlement each year until 2026.
From 2023, workers are entitled to 3 days’ sick pay a year. This is called statutory sick pay and is paid by your employer at 70% of your normal pay up to a maximum of €110 a day.
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To qualify, you must be an employee and be working at least 13 weeks with your employer. You must also be certified by a GP as unable to work.
Your employer can have a more generous sick pay scheme, but they can't give you less than the statutory amount.
The entitlement to sick pay leave is being phased in over the next four years as follows:
- 2023 - 3 days covered
- 2024 - 5 days covered
- 2025 - 7 days covered
- 2026 - 10 days covered
Sick pay days can be taken as consecutive days or non-consecutive days. If you are off work sick for more than 3 days, and you have enough PRSI contributions, you can apply to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for a payment called Illness Benefit.
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