Last updated: January 2026
Updated for 2026 based on current Irish employment law and Department of Social Protection guidance.
Being off work sick is stressful enough without worrying about what you’re entitled to and who pays what. In Ireland, there are two main sick pay routes depending on how long you’re out and what your employer provides.
This guide explains how to claim sick pay in Ireland including Statutory Sick Pay from your employer and Illness Benefit from the state, and what to do if your employer refuses to pay.
Quick Summary
- Statutory sick pay: 5 certified sick days per calendar year, 70% of normal daily pay up to €110 / day
- Illness Benefit: State weekly payment based on PRSI contributions
The Main Routes For Sick Pay In Ireland
Main routes for sick pay in Ireland include:
1. Company (Contractual) Sick Pay:
Many employers offer their own sick pay scheme. Check your employment contract and staff handbook to understand your company’s policy for sick pay.
If your employer gives you better terms than the legal minimum, your employer’s scheme applies.
Practical Tip
Ask HR for the sick pay policy document (or search your intranet / employee portal) and confirm:
- how many paid sick days are covered
- whether full pay or partial pay applies
- what medical certification is required and from what day
2. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Statutory Sick Pay in Ireland is the legal minimum sick pay employers must provide to eligible employees. It was introduced under the Sick Leave Act 2022.
Statutory Sick Pay applies to most employees in Ireland, including part-time, agency, and probationary employees. It ensures basic income protection during short-term illness.
The statutory scheme also applies to employees undergoing training and apprenticeships (with some practical implications around pausing probation / training in certain cases).
Learn more about sick leave enduring probation in Ireland.
Core SSP rules you need to know (keep these handy)
- Current entitlement: 5 days per calendar year
- Pay rate: 70% of the regular daily earnings, capped at €110 per day
- Medical certificate / sick note is required
- Service requirement: You are an employee and have worked for 13 continuous weeks for your current employer, before your illness begins
Additional “real-world” mechanics that often surprise people:
- SSP can be taken on consecutive or non-consecutive days (as long as they are days you would ordinarily work)
- Unused statutory sick leave expires at the end of the calendar year (it can’t be carried forward)
- A statutory sick leave period cannot continue from one calendar year into the next without a return to work in between
- Part-time employees still qualify for the statutory entitlement once eligible
- If you have multiple employers, you can be entitled to statutory sick leave from each employer (once you meet the 13-week requirement with each).
Learn more about how many sick days you get in Ireland.
3. Illness Benefit (DSP)
If you’re sick and can’t work, you may qualify for Illness Benefit, which is a weekly social welfare payment given by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
Key basics:
- No payments for first 3 days (waiting days)
- Not payable for days covered by Statutory Sick Pay
- Available to people aged 16 to under 66
- Must be claimed within 6 weeks of becoming ill
- Based mainly on your PRSI record and average weekly earnings
- 2025 weekly personal rates ranged from €109.50 to €244
- From January 2026, maximum weekly rates increased to €254
- Payments can last up to 2 years (624 payment days), depending on PRSI record
Illness Benefit is subject to income tax, but it is not liable for PRSI or USC
Learn how much Illness Benefit in Ireland you may be entitled to.
Quick Eligibility Checklist
You can usually claim Statutory Sick Pay if:
- You’re an employee (not self-employed)
- You have completed 13 weeks with your current employer
- You provide a medical certificate
- You still have statutory sick days remaining for the calendar year
You can usually claim Illness Benefit if:
- You’re medically certified as unfit for work
- You meet PRSI contribution conditions
- You apply within the required timeframe
How to Claim Sick Pay From Your Employer (Statutory Sick Pay)
To claim Sick Pay from your employer, follow these steps:
Step 1: Notify Your Employer
Do this as early as possible on the first day you’re absent:
- Follow your workplace procedure (phone, HR portal, email, line manager etc)
- Say you’re unfit for work and when you’ll update them next
Best practice: Keep it short and professional. You don’t need to share detailed medical info, unless your contract specifically requires something (even then it’s usually limited).
Step 2: Get a Medical Certificate
For Statutory Sick Pay your leave must be certified by a doctor / medical professional. You can get a sick note by visiting your GP in person or obtain an online sick note.
Ask your employer what format they accept and where to send it.
Learn here about how to get an online sick note in Ireland.
Step 3: Confirm Payment
Statutory Sick Pay is 70% of your regular daily earnings, capped at €110 per day.
Also confirm how it appears on your payslip.
Step 4: Track Your Statutory Sick Days
The statutory entitlement resets each calendar year and unused sick days cannot be carried forward to the following year.
If you have already used your 5 statutory sick days and become ill again in the same year, you may still qualify for:
- Company sick pay (if available)
- Illness Benefit (depending on PRSI record and timing)
How to Claim Illness Benefit in Ireland
To claim Illness Benefit you need a verified MyGovID account. If you don’t have a MyGovID account, you can create one here.
Step 1: Check your PRSI eligibility through MyWelfare eligibility checker.
Step 2: Apply online through MyWelfare. If you are unable to apply online you may ask your doctor for an IB1 application form.
Step 3: Submit medical certs and any DSP forms requested. Keep your claim reference number and correspondence.
Timing warning: You must claim Illness Benefit within 6 weeks of becoming ill (late applications may be accepted in certain circumstances, but don’t rely on that).
Also: If your instance of illness does not exceed your 5-day Statutory Sick Leave entitlement, you generally do not need to apply for Illness Benefit.
What You Need to Complete an Illness Benefit Application
- Dates you have been certified as unfit for work
- Your personal details ( current address)
- Medical evidence (Certificate of Incapacity For Work completed by your doctor)
- Employment details (employment status and sick leave)
- Any other income from social welfare or training schemes
- Partner details (if applicable)
- Child dependents (if applicable)
- Payment details (bank account details or the post office)
Common Mistakes That Delay Sick Pay (and how to avoid them)
- Not applying for Illness Benefit within 6 weeks
Even if your employer is paying you initially, the DSP still expects timely claims in many situations. - Assuming statutory sick leave can roll into a new calendar year
It generally can’t—plan for the year-end edge case if your illness spans December / January.
- Sending a vague or incomplete medical certificate
Your employer needs a certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating you are unfit for work due to illness or injury. - Mixing up employer sick pay vs DSP benefits
SSP is employer-paid; Illness Benefit is a DSP scheme and is not linked to your employer’s policy. - Forgetting the Illness Benefit “waiting days”
Budget for the fact that the first 3 days are not paid.
What to Do If You Have a Dispute About Sick Pay
If you have a disagreement with your employer about your sick pay:
- Raise the issue with your manager or HR and try to resolve it informally first
- Provide an updated medical certification if required
- Keep a written record of your communication
If the issue remains unresolved, you can contact the Workplace Relations Commission and file a formal complaint through the WRC e-complaint portal.
Know Your Protections (Anti-Penalisation)
Employers must ensure employees receive no negative treatment for requesting statutory sick leave, and statutory sick leave should not affect employment rights.
What the WRC Can Award
A WRC Adjudication Officer (or the Labour Court on appeal) may award compensation up to 4 weeks’ remuneration in respect of the employee’s employment (subject to the case).
Employer Exemptions / Inability to Pay
In limited circumstances, an employer may apply to the Labour Court for an exemption to pay Statutory Sick Pay if they demonstrate severe financial difficulties.
Exemptions must be formally approved and do not apply automatically. If granted, an exemption is typically for a minimum of 3 months and up to 1 year.
Related Schemes You Should At Least Be Aware Of (Depending On Your Situation)
These aren’t always relevant, but they commonly come up when people don’t qualify for Illness Benefit or when the absence is work-related:
- If you cannot work due to an injury that happened at work, you may need Occupational Injury Benefit rather than Illness Benefit.
- In practice, some people explore Supplementary Welfare Allowance if they are left without income (eligibility depends on circumstances).
- If you’re moving toward a return to work with reduced capacity, schemes such as Partial Capacity Benefit may be relevant (especially when transitioning off Illness Benefit).
(These are situation-dependent—use official DSP guidance to confirm eligibility.)
What Documents You Should Have
These are the documents usually required to apply for sick pay in Ireland:
- Sick cert or medical certificate (and copies)
- Written records of absence days
- Emails or messages sent to your employer
- Payslip showing sick pay paid (or not paid)
- If applying for Illness Benefit: Combination of application / claim reference and any DSP correspondence
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice.
