[Ireland] 2024 statutory sick pay entitlement increases

Employees in Ireland previously had no legal right to be paid while on sick leave from work. That changed with the introduction of a Statutory Sick Pay Scheme (SSP) in 2023 and now rates are increasing, The Southern Star reports.

Since January 1, 2023, workers have a right to three days’ sick pay a year. Sick pay is paid by employers at 70 per cent of normal pay up to a maximum of €110 a day. From January 1, 2024, paid sick leave has increased from 3 to 5 days a year. 

It will reportedly increase further in coming years, going up to 7 days in 2025 and 10 days in 2026.

Sick days can be taken as consecutive days or non-consecutive days. The sick pay year is the calendar year, runing from January 1 to December 31.

To qualify for statutory sick pay, workers must be employees and have worked for their employer for at least 13 continuous weeks before going sick. Additionally, they must abe certified by a GP as unable to work. Individuals with multiple employers are permitted 3 days paid sick leave from each employer, as long as they have 13 weeks service with that employer before going sick.

Full-time and part-time employees can take 3 days paid sick leave. However, the amount they are paid for sick leave - 70 per cent of earnings, up to €110 - is based on their average pay over the 13 weeks before taking sick leave.

Under sick leave legislation, employees must be certified by a GP as unable to work to qualify for statutory sick pay. They should be certified from day 1 of their sick leave.

Employees reportedly have a right to SSP from the first day they are off sick and employers cannot apply ‘waiting days’.

Employer with their own sick pay scheme, offering more generous benefits than SSP, should pay employees under those arrangements. SSP is for employees without a company sick pay scheme or those who fail to qualify for it.

A statutory sick leave payment must be paid at the employee’s normal daily rate. They are entitled to 70 per cent of normal pay, up to a maximum €110 a day.

Employees off work sick for more than 3 days who have suffieicent PRSI contributions can apply to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for a payment called Illness Benefit.

Those without sufficient PRSI contributions should contact the DSP’s representative at their local health centre so they can assess the empleyee’s situation.

Employments rights are protected during sick leave with workers continuing to be treated as being in employment for the period of the leave.

Source: The Southern Star

Employees in Ireland previously had no legal right to be paid while on sick leave from work. That changed with the introduction of a Statutory Sick Pay Scheme (SSP) in 2023 and now rates are increasing, The Southern Star reports.

Since January 1, 2023, workers have a right to three days’ sick pay a year. Sick pay is paid by employers at 70 per cent of normal pay up to a maximum of €110 a day. From January 1, 2024, paid sick leave has increased from 3 to 5 days a year. 

It will reportedly increase further in coming years, going up to 7 days in 2025 and 10 days in 2026.

Sick days can be taken as consecutive days or non-consecutive days. The sick pay year is the calendar year, runing from January 1 to December 31.

To qualify for statutory sick pay, workers must be employees and have worked for their employer for at least 13 continuous weeks before going sick. Additionally, they must abe certified by a GP as unable to work. Individuals with multiple employers are permitted 3 days paid sick leave from each employer, as long as they have 13 weeks service with that employer before going sick.

Full-time and part-time employees can take 3 days paid sick leave. However, the amount they are paid for sick leave - 70 per cent of earnings, up to €110 - is based on their average pay over the 13 weeks before taking sick leave.

Under sick leave legislation, employees must be certified by a GP as unable to work to qualify for statutory sick pay. They should be certified from day 1 of their sick leave.

Employees reportedly have a right to SSP from the first day they are off sick and employers cannot apply ‘waiting days’.

Employer with their own sick pay scheme, offering more generous benefits than SSP, should pay employees under those arrangements. SSP is for employees without a company sick pay scheme or those who fail to qualify for it.

A statutory sick leave payment must be paid at the employee’s normal daily rate. They are entitled to 70 per cent of normal pay, up to a maximum €110 a day.

Employees off work sick for more than 3 days who have suffieicent PRSI contributions can apply to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for a payment called Illness Benefit.

Those without sufficient PRSI contributions should contact the DSP’s representative at their local health centre so they can assess the empleyee’s situation.

Employments rights are protected during sick leave with workers continuing to be treated as being in employment for the period of the leave.

Source: The Southern Star