First 48 hours
- Ask whether the role is genuinely ending and whether the process is individual or collective.
- Request the termination date, notice arrangements, redundancy calculation and final-pay items.
- Save contract, payslips, leave balance, pension information and relevant correspondence lawfully.
- Do not sign a waiver or settlement you do not understand.
Check statutory redundancy and notice
The Department of Social Protection says eligible employees generally need 104 weeks of continuous, fully insurable employment and must lose a job that no longer exists. Statutory redundancy is two weeks’ pay for each year of service plus one additional week, subject to a €600 weekly ceiling. Check current redundancy entitlements.
Contractual or collective terms can be more favourable. Notice entitlement is separate from the redundancy lump sum.
If the employer cannot pay
The Redundancy Payment Scheme can provide statutory redundancy where an employer is genuinely unable to pay. The Insolvency Payments Scheme covers specified debts where the employer is legally insolvent. These routes, representatives and limits differ. See the Redundancy Payment Scheme.
Protect income and deadlines
- Apply promptly for the appropriate jobseeker payment through MyWelfare or Intreo.
- Ask Revenue how termination payments are treated and review the final payroll record.
- Update the household budget and stop avoidable commitments.
- Use the WRC route if entitlement is disputed, noting that legal time limits apply.
Primary sources
- Department of Social Protection: Redundancy and Insolvency Overview, updated 15 April 2026 and accessed 11 July 2026.
- Department of Social Protection: Redundancy Payment Scheme, accessed 11 July 2026.
- Department of Social Protection: Insolvency Payments Scheme, accessed 11 July 2026.