Hiring Employees in Ireland: A Comprehensive Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction
Key Considerations for Employing in Ireland
Benefits
Employment Contracts
Onboarding
Leaves
Payroll & Taxes
Termination Process
Invoice Schedule
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1. Introduction
Hiring employees in Ireland involves compliance with local labor laws, robust employee protections, and specific requirements around taxes and benefits. Omnipresent’s Employer of Record (EOR) service streamlines the process and ensures compliance.
2. Key Considerations for Employing in Ireland
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: English
Employer Costs: Moderate (~11.05% of salary)
Termination Complexity: Moderate
Onboarding Timeline: Approximately 15 calendar days
Payroll Frequency: Monthly
3. Benefits
Types of Benefits Offered
Mandatory Benefits: Public healthcare access, pension contributions, maternity & paternity benefits, illness and disability insurance.
Supplementary Benefits: Private healthcare, life insurance, income protection, gym memberships.
Healthcare
Ireland operates a public healthcare system with optional private health insurance coverage.
Employers often offer private medical insurance as a supplementary benefit.
Retirement
State pension is provided through Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions.
Employers must offer access to a pension scheme; auto-enrollment is expected to be introduced in 2024.
4. Employment Contracts
Contract Types
Indefinite-term contracts
Fixed-term contracts
Part-time contracts
Requirements
Written employment contracts are mandatory.
Language: English
Signature Requirements: Simple electronic or wet signature
Backdating: Not permitted under Omnipresent’s policy
Probation Period
Standard probation period: Up to 6 months, extendable to 12 months with justification.
Notice periods still apply during probation.
Contract Customisation
Optional clauses include unlimited PTO, enhanced sick pay, or extended parental leave.
Some elements (e.g. minimum notice, statutory entitlements) cannot be altered.
5. Onboarding
Timeline
The onboarding process in Ireland typically takes 15 calendar days, including:
Platform Setup
Right-to-Work Check
Employment Contract Processing
Benefits & Payroll Enrollment
Registration & Approvals
Employers must register employees with the Revenue Commissioners and Department of Social Protection (DSP).
Immigration & Visas
Omnipresent does not sponsor visas in Ireland.
Employees must already hold valid work authorization.
Right-to-Work Verification
Employers must verify employee eligibility before employment starts.
Employee Transfers from Another EOR
Previous service may be recognized in the new contract.
6. Leaves
Leave Entitlements
Annual Leave: Minimum 20 days per year (pro rata for part-time employees).
Additional leave may be granted by employer or agreement.
Parental Leave
Maternity Leave: 26 weeks paid (+16 weeks unpaid).
Paternity Leave: 2 weeks paid.
Parents Leave: 7 weeks (paid by the state).
Sick Leave
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): 5 days in 2023, increasing annually to 10 days by 2026.
Employers must pay 70% of wages (capped at €110 per day).
Public Holidays
Ireland has 10 public holidays, including:
New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Monday, May Day, Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day
7. Payroll & Taxes
Payroll Cycle
Frequency: Monthly
Cut-off Date: 6th of each month
Payment Date: Last working day of the month
Compensation
Minimum wage (2024): €12.70/hour
Bonuses and commissions: Allowed but must be outlined in the contract
Standard Work Schedule
39–40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Employer Costs
Estimated 11.05% of gross salary. Use the OmniCalculator for a detailed breakdown.
8. Termination Process
Notice Period
Based on length of service:
<13 weeks: No notice
13 weeks–2 years: 1 week
2–5 years: 2 weeks
5–10 years: 4 weeks
10–15 years: 6 weeks
15+ years: 8 weeks
Termination Grounds
Must be fair and reasonable, supported by procedure and documentation.
Examples: redundancy, misconduct, underperformance.
Severance Pay
No statutory requirement unless redundancy applies (then statutory redundancy applies).
9. Invoice Schedule
Initial Fees
Setup Fees: Due upon signing Terms
Deposit: Payable when the local employment contract is ready for signature
First Salary Prepayment: Invoiced on the first day of employment
Ongoing Monthly Payments
Labour costs invoiced monthly in arrears after payroll processing
Each invoice includes:
Monthly service fee
Deposit insurance (if applicable)
FX fee (if applicable)
10. Get Started with Omnipresent
We simplify international hiring, legal compliance, payroll, benefits, and more. Contact us to start your journey toward hassle-free global employment.