The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 provides statutory minimum entitlements for all employees to holidays and public holidays (except members of An Garda Siochana and Defence Forces).

Employees, other than those employed on a part-time/casual basis, have an immediate entitlement to public holiday benefits.  Part-time/casual employees qualify for public holiday entitlement provided they have worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks ending on the day before a public holiday.

The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 provides statutory minimum entitlements for all employees to holidays and public holidays (except members of An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces).   

From 2023 there will be a new permanent public holiday established in celebration of Imbolc/St Brigid’s Day. This will be the first Monday in every February, except where St. Brigid’s Day, the 1st day of February, happens to fall on a Friday, in which case that Friday 1 February will be a public holiday.