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Labour Law • Regulated by Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)

Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (OWTA)

Definition: The OWTA 1997 is Ireland's principal statute governing maximum weekly working hours, daily and weekly rest periods, and annual leave entitlements.

Regulatory Impact & Compliance Overview

Key statutory provisions affecting care providers include a maximum average working week of 48 hours, a mandatory daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours per 24-hour cycle, a weekly rest period of 24 consecutive hours, and statutory rest breaks (15 minutes after 4.5 hours, 30 minutes after 6 hours). Care agencies must keep comprehensive records of hours worked for at least 3 years.

Governing Authority

Enforced by Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in Ireland. Compliance with these standards is legally required for all licensed and participating care providers.

Automated Compliance

How AsanWork Enforces Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 (OWTA)

AsanWork builds compliance directly into daily scheduling workflows. Hard compliance stops prevent un-vetted, un-screened, or non-credentialed staff from receiving shift allocations, ensuring 100% audit readiness.

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Related Ireland Healthcare Terms

Registration CORU (Regulating Health and Social Care Professionals) CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator responsible for protecting the public by regulating health and social care professionals. Safeguarding Children First Act 2015 Irish legislation providing statutory obligations to report child protection concerns and implement Child Safeguarding Statements. Governance Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) CHOs are operational administrative divisions of the HSE delivering community-based primary care, social care, and mental health services across Ireland. Compliance HIQA Single Assessment Framework (Thematic Inspections) Targeted inspection programmes conducted by HIQA focusing on specific regulatory areas such as medication safety, infection prevention, or staffing governance.