Updated: August 2026. This review of the Q3 2025 changes has been refreshed: the second-tranche construction SEO rates took effect on 1 August 2026, the national minimum wage rose to EUR 14.15 on 1 January 2026, pension auto-enrolment commenced on 1 January 2026, and the Karshan payroll disclosure window closed on 30 January 2026.
Key Employment Law Updates in Ireland for Q3 2025
The third quarter of 2025 marks a decisive shift in Ireland’s employment law landscape. Regulatory bodies intensified enforcement, expanded reporting obligations and advanced structural reforms across tax compliance, workplace transparency and sectoral pay. These developments signal a move toward a high-compliance, high-wage economy, with employers facing both operational and financial impacts.
Karshan Decision and the Payroll Disclosure Opportunity
A New Era of Workforce Classification Enforcement
On 11 September 2025, Revenue published guidance introducing a time-limited Payroll Tax Disclosure Opportunity. This measure allowed employers to voluntarily disclose genuine errors in worker classification, following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Revenue Commissioners v Karshan (Domino’s Pizza).
Disclosure deadline: 30 January 2026.
The window has now closed. Classification errors identified after that date fall under Revenue’s standard compliance interventions, with full tax, interest and penalties.
The Five-Factor Karshan Test
- Mutuality of obligation
- Substitution
- Integration into the business
- Degree of control
- Economic reality and financial risk
Throughout Q3 2025, both the WRC and the High Court continued to apply this test, making it the new standard for determining employment status.
Sectoral Pay Changes: Construction SEO and Cleaning ERO
Construction Sector SEO (S.I. 620 of 2024)
The new Sectoral Employment Order for the construction sector took effect on 1 August 2025, increasing minimum hourly rates and updating pension and sick pay contributions. The second tranche of rates took effect on 1 August 2026 and is now current.
| Category | Description | Rate (Aug 2025 to Jul 2026) | Current Rate (from 1 Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craftsperson | Masons, carpenters, plasterers | €23.00 | €23.74 |
| Category A | Experienced scaffolders, crane operators | €22.32 | €23.03 |
| Category B | Skilled workers (2+ years) | €20.71 | €21.37 |
| New Entrant | Over 18, new to the sector | €16.74 | €17.28 |
Pension contributions increased to €6.37 (employer) and €4.25 (employee) per day, alongside updated sick pay contributions.
Cleaning Sector ERO
The new Employment Regulation Order for the contract cleaning industry introduced a minimum rate of €14.10 from 17 October 2025, rising to €14.80 on 1 January 2026. This replaced S.I. 255 of 2024 and reflects rapid wage adjustments in low-paid sectors.
Workplace Transparency and Reporting Obligations
Gender Pay Gap Reporting Expansion
From 2025, employers with 50 or more employees are required to report gender pay gap data. The snapshot date fell in June 2025, and reporting had to be submitted by November 2025.
Employers must provide:
- Mean and median hourly pay gaps
- Bonus and benefits gaps
- Narrative explanation where gaps exceed 5%
For SMEs, this was the most challenging GPG cycle to date, requiring rigorous data analysis and careful narrative preparation.
Preparing for the EU Pay Transparency Directive (June 2026)
During Q3, legal advisors encouraged employers to begin aligning with upcoming requirements such as salary range disclosure, bans on salary history questions and employee rights to pay transparency data. Ireland’s Pay Transparency Bill is expected to transpose these rules in 2026.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting: CSRD Delay
The “Stop-the-Clock” Regulations (EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Regulations 2025) were signed in Q3, delaying CSRD obligations for second- and third-wave companies by two years. This pause gives employers time to refine data collection for social and workforce sustainability metrics.
Pension Reform: Auto-Enrolment Now Live
Start Date: 1 January 2026
The My Future Fund auto-enrolment scheme, previously expected in Q3 2025, commenced on 1 January 2026. Employers who have not yet adjusted their payroll processes, identified eligible staff and prepared employee communications should treat this as an immediate priority rather than a future project.
Family Leave and Equality Law Updates
Bereaved Partner’s Pension Act 2025
This reform ensures that qualified cohabitants can access survivor benefits, following the O’Meara ruling. Employers should expect more HR queries regarding proof-of-cohabitation documentation.
Equality and Family Leave (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
The Bill proposes statutory leave for surrogacy and pregnancy loss, and may introduce a new protected ground: socio-economic disadvantage. Stakeholder groups have urged increasing discrimination compensation limits up to €75,000.
WRC Annual Trends and Q3 2025 Enforcement
Rising Complaints and Inspections
- 18% increase in complaints
- 27% relate to pay disputes
- Over 5,100 inspections conducted
- €2.16 million in unpaid wages recovered
Remote Work Dispute Patterns
The WRC continues to focus heavily on process: timeliness, documentation and adherence to the Code of Practice. Awards remain modest (up to four weeks’ pay), but procedural breaches are penalised consistently.
Reduced Use of NDAs
Restrictions introduced in 2024 are now fully embedded, limiting confidentiality clauses in harassment and discrimination settlements unless requested by the employee.
Outlook Beyond Q3 2025: What Has Since Been Confirmed
- National minimum wage rose to €14.15 on 1 January 2026 (confirmed in Budget 2026)
- AI in HR classified as “high-risk” under the EU AI Act
- Retirement age reforms continue progressing
- Increase in protected disclosures expected, especially from short-tenure staff
Summary of Key Deadlines
| Date | Requirement | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug 2025 | New Construction SEO rates | Construction employers |
| 17 Oct 2025 | New Cleaning ERO rates | Cleaning sector |
| Nov 2025 | Gender Pay Gap reporting | Employers with 50+ staff |
| 1 Jan 2026 | Auto-Enrolment launch | All employers |
| 1 Jan 2026 | National Minimum Wage increase (€14.15) | All sectors |
| 30 Jan 2026 | Karshan payroll disclosure deadline (now closed) | All employers using contractors |
| 1 Aug 2026 | Second-tranche Construction SEO rates | Construction employers |
| June 2026 | EU Pay Transparency Directive | All employers |
The overarching message of Q3 2025: compliance is tightening, data transparency is expanding and employers must prepare for significant structural changes across tax, pay and workforce reporting.
For employers hiring in Ireland, Chern & Co supports the compliance side of the employment lifecycle: employer registration with Revenue, fully managed payroll, and accountancy and tax services that keep classification, PAYE reporting and year-end filings in order. Contact us if your team needs the employer setup handled end to end.
