Redundancy in Ireland: What You Need to Know (2025 Guide)
Redundancy in Ireland can be a challenging and uncertain time. However, understanding your legal redundancy entitlements, tax exemptions, and post-employment options can make a big difference to your financial wellbeing.
Whether you’ve received notice of redundancy or are planning for potential layoffs, this guide explains what you need to know — from statutory redundancy payments to tax treatment of lump sums, PILON, unused holidays, and Jobseeker’s Benefit.
Statutory Redundancy in Ireland
If you have at least 2 years (104 weeks) of continuous service with your employer, you are legally entitled to a statutory redundancy payment.
What You’re Entitled To:
Two weeks’ pay for every full year of service
Plus one additional week
Use your weekly pay, maximum €600 per week
If your salary is above €600 per week, the surplus is not considered.
If your salary is below €600 per week, the actual value is used.
Is Statutory Redundancy Tax-Free?
Yes. The full statutory redundancy payment is completely tax-free — no Income Tax, PRSI, or USC applies.
Redundancy Payments and Tax Exemptions (Ex-Gratia / Enhanced Redundancy)
In many cases, employers offer enhanced or discretionary redundancy payments, also known as ex-gratia payments. These payments are subject to tax, but can be offset by exemptions, which can be thought of like tax credits.
The Lump sum in your pension can be used to increase the tax-free value. It’s absolutely vital to understand the implications of this decision.
The Ex-Gratia / Enhanced Redundancy is taxable, with exemptions which act like tax credits, reducing the tax you pay. Here’s your options:
a) Basic Exemption
Tax-free amount of €10,160
Plus €765 for each full year of service
b) Increased Exemption
Qualify if you haven’t received a redundancy payment in the last 10 years
Up to an additional €10,000 tax-free
Reduced by the value of any tax-free pension lump sum received or receivable
c) SCSB – Standard Capital Superannuation Benefit
Best for long-serving, higher-paid employees. Based on this formula:
Option A: (Average annual pay × years of service ÷ 15) – tax-free pension lump sum (retain right)
Option B: (Average annual pay × years of service ÷ 15) (waive right)
If you waive you right to a tax-free lump sum, you will not have access to your tax-free lump sum in the future.
The value of your pension is not reduced, only access to the tax-free lump sum is removed.
Note: Only one exemption can be used at a time, and a lifetime cap of €200,000 applies to tax-free ex-gratia payments.
PILON – Payment in Lieu of Notice
If your contract allows, your employer may pay you instead of requiring you to work out your notice period. This is known as PILON.
Fully taxable as normal income
Subject to Income Tax, PRSI, and USC
Does not qualify for redundancy tax exemptions
Unused Holiday Pay
If you have accrued annual leave that you haven’t used before your termination date:
You are legally entitled to payment for unused holidays
This payment is taxable in full
Claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit After Redundancy
After Mandatory redundancy in Ireland, you may be eligible for:
Jobseeker’s Benefit, or
Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit (for higher earnings)
If you took Voluntary redundancy, you may have to wait up to 9 weeks to receive job seekers payments.
You can apply for the same as above after this waiting period.
To Qualify, You Must:
Have sufficient PRSI contributions
Be available for work
Be actively seeking employment
Apply via MyWelfare.ie or through your local Intreo office.
Statutory Redundancy Example (2025)
Scenario A:
10 years of service
Weekly gross pay: €1,000
Statutory max: €600/week
Calculation:
2 × 10 years = 20 weeks
+1 additional week = 21 weeks
21 × €600 = €12,600 tax-free
Exemption Example:
Scenario B:
Annual salary 2025: €52,000
Service: 15 years
Ex-gratia redundancy payment: €45,000
Net Present Value of Pension lump sum: €20,000 (tax-free)
Basic Exemption
Basic Exemption = €10,160 + (€765 × 15) = €21,635
SCSB Formula
Step 1: Calculate Average Annual Remuneration for last 3 years
2022: €49,000
2023: €50,000
2024: €51,000
€150,000 / 3 = €50,000 (average)
Step 2: SCSB Calculations:
Option 1 - Retain access to tax-free lump sum
(€50,000 × 15 ÷ 15) − €20,000 = €30,000 (tax-free)
Option 2 - Waive access to tax-free lump sum
(€50,000 × 15 ÷ 15) = €50,000 (tax-free)
Note: If you waive your right to a pension lump sum, the value is not impacted - it is just the tax-free aspect.
Step 3: Comparison
SCSB is higher then Basic Exemption in both option 1 and 2 → Use SCSB
Step 4: Tax on Remaining €15,000 (Using Option 1 Retain)
Ex gratia payment €45,000 less exemption €30,000 = €15,000 subject to tax.
Taxed as follows:
Income Tax (40%): €6,000
USC (3%): €450
PRSI: Exempt
Tax Due: €6,450
After tax: €8,550
Net payment €38,550
Key Takeaways on Redundancy in Ireland
Know your rights: Statutory redundancy is a legal entitlement after 2+ years.
Tax relief is available on enhanced (ex-gratia) redundancy payments.
PILON and holiday pay are taxable as income.
Jobseeker’s Benefit may be available post-redundancy.
Use the SCSB formula if you’re a long-serving or higher-earning employee.
Understand how this can affect your pension, this can not be undone.
Need Advice on Redundancy Payments or Tax Exemptions?
Understanding redundancy payments and tax treatment can be complex. Speak with us today