The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, sets out the statutory rights for employees in respect of holiday entitlements. This Act provides for the following nine public holidays per year: (a) 1 January, New Year's Day; (b) St. Patricks Day; (c) Easter Monday; (d) the first Monday in May; (e) the first Monday in June; (f) the first Monday in August; (g) the last Monday in October; (h) Christmas Day; (i) St. Stephen's Day.
The average public holiday entitlement in the EU at present is approximately 11 days annually.
This year the Government has approved the designation of 31 December 1999 as a special once-off public holiday in celebration of the millennium. There are no further plans at present to increase the number of public holidays.