You can take up to 13 weeks unpaid leave each year under the Shorter Working Year (SWY) scheme.
You must take at least 2 weeks leave at a time, and you cannot take more than 13 weeks in any single period.
Aim of the scheme
The scheme is designed to help you achieve a better work–life balance.
Under the scheme, you can apply to take leave to help you manage your work and personal commitments, including childcare.
One of the benefits is that you may be able to take this leave at the same time as school holidays.
Amount of leave
You can take leave under this scheme in blocks of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 13 weeks.
You may take it as 1 continuous period or split it into 3 separate periods.
Each period must be at least 2 weeks and no more than 13 weeks in total.
Payments under the scheme
Leave under this scheme is unpaid.
You can apply for special salary arrangements, which allow you to receive part of your salary while on unpaid leave. Your pay is spread evenly over 12 months.
You must apply in writing. Your signed‑off application must be sent to your local processing department by 31 October in the year before you plan to take the leave.
PRSI and other contributions
If you are on the Shorter Working Year scheme, you are not earning during your period of leave. This means you are not making PRSI contributions during this time. To understand how this may affect you, contact the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
You are responsible for making sure that any voluntary deductions normally taken from your salary continue to be paid. This includes deductions such as health insurance or savings plans. This only applies if these deductions usually come from your salary.
Accepting your leave
If your leave is approved, you must accept the offer within 5 working days. If you do not accept it, the offer may be given to someone else.
If you choose special salary arrangements, you cannot change or cancel the dates of your leave.
How other leave entitlement is affected by the scheme
Sick leave
You cannot take sick leave while you are on leave under the Shorter Working Year scheme.
Annual leave and public holidays
You do not earn annual leave while you are on leave under the scheme. Your annual leave entitlement will change to reflect this.
You may be entitled to public holidays during your leave. To qualify, you must not have been absent for more than 13 weeks before the public holiday.
You may be entitled to 1 of the following:
- a paid day off within a month of the public holiday
- an additional day of annual leave
- an additional day’s pay
Annual leave entitlement
Annual leave is based on a 52-week working year.
If you take 2 weeks of SWY leave, your working year becomes 50 weeks.
If your normal annual leave entitlement is 28 days (based on 52 weeks), your reduced annual leave is calculated as follows:
- subtract your 2 weeks of SWY leave from the 52‑week year: 52 − 2 = 50 working weeks
- multiply your 50 working weeks by your annual leave entitlement: 50 × 28 = 1400
- divide this number by 52 (the full working year): 1400 ÷ 52 = 26.92
Following this calculation, you are entitled to 27 days of annual leave.
Reckonable service
The leave you take under this scheme counts towards your increments and seniority. It does not count towards your pension.
Shorter Working Year scheme HR Circular (PDF, 270 KB, 7 pages)
How to apply
You must apply by 31 October in the year before you want to take the leave.
You will need to state how much leave you want to take and the dates you are requesting.
You must apply to your line manager using the Shorter Working Year Application Form (PDF, 2 MB, 3 pages).
The form must be fully completed, signed off and returned to HR National Personnel Administration or your local HR processing department before 31 October.
Your manager may not be able to approve all the leave you request.
They may have to refuse your application because:
- you have specialist or hard to replace skills
- you work in a location where your absence would be difficult to cover
- colleagues are also applying for leave under the scheme
- colleagues will be on reduced hours or other types of leave at the same time
If there are several applications, your manager may need to prioritise them.
Your manager may suggest staggering the leave. For example, you may be asked to take only some of your leave during the summer months.
Late applications
Your manager may approve a late application for up to 8 weeks of leave.
You should submit your late application at least 6 weeks before your leave begins.
Special salary arrangements are not available for late applications.