Offer Letter Template for Ireland

An Offer Letter is a formal written document from an employer extending a job offer to a potential employee in Ireland. It outlines key employment terms like salary, start date, job title, and work location - serving as the first official step in creating an employment relationship.

While not legally required under Irish employment law, Offer Letters help protect both parties by clearly stating initial terms before the full employment contract. They typically include conditions like Garda vetting, reference checks, or proof of qualifications. Once signed, they create a binding preliminary agreement that leads to the more detailed Contract of Employment required within 5 days of starting work.

Use an Offer Letter when you've found the right candidate and need to formally present employment terms before finalizing the full contract. This document becomes especially important for roles requiring specific qualifications, professional memberships, or Garda vetting in Ireland.

Send the Offer Letter after verbal discussions but before drafting the detailed Contract of Employment. It creates a clear paper trail and helps avoid misunderstandings about key terms like salary, benefits, and start date. For senior positions or roles with complex compensation packages, the Offer Letter helps lock in negotiated terms while protecting both parties during the pre-employment phase.

• Intent To Hire Letter: Initial document expressing interest before formal offer, often used during background checks or negotiations
• Job Offer Contract: Comprehensive version combining offer and basic contract terms, common for permanent positions
• Temporary Employment Offer Letter: Specialized version for fixed-term or seasonal work with specific end dates
• Job Contract Letter: Detailed offer including full employment terms, suitable for senior roles
• Job Acceptance Letter: Employee's formal response confirming acceptance of offered terms

• HR Managers/Directors: Draft and customize Offer Letters, ensure compliance with Irish employment law, and manage the overall hiring process
• Company Directors: Review and approve offers for senior positions, set compensation parameters, and sign letters for executive hires
• Legal Teams: Review letter content, ensure alignment with employment legislation, and advise on specific terms or conditions
• Job Candidates: Review, negotiate, and accept the offered terms, becoming legally bound upon signing
• Recruitment Agencies: Often coordinate the offer process between employers and candidates, especially for specialized roles

• Position Details: Confirm exact job title, department, reporting structure, and work location details
• Compensation Package: Gather approved salary, benefits, bonus structure, and any performance-related pay elements
• Start Requirements: List essential qualifications, Garda vetting needs, reference checks, or professional memberships
• Key Dates: Define start date, response deadline, and probation period length
• Legal Compliance: Use our platform's Irish-law-compliant templates to ensure all mandatory elements are included correctly
• Internal Approval: Get sign-off from relevant department heads and HR before sending to candidate

• Company Details: Full legal name, registered address, and employer contact information
• Position Information: Job title, department, reporting structure, and work location specifics
• Compensation Terms: Base salary, benefits package, bonus structure, and payment frequency
• Employment Status: Full-time/part-time designation, start date, and probation period details
• Conditions: Required documentation, Garda vetting, reference checks, or work permits
• Acceptance Method: Clear instructions for accepting the offer and response deadline
• Legal Framework: Reference to Irish employment law and future Contract of Employment

The key distinction lies between an Offer Letter and an Employment Letter. While both relate to employment relationships, they serve different purposes and appear at different stages of the employment journey.

• Timing and Purpose: Offer Letters come first, proposing initial employment terms to a candidate. Employment Letters confirm existing employment status for third parties like banks or landlords
• Legal Weight: Offer Letters create preliminary binding agreements subject to conditions. Employment Letters simply verify current employment facts
• Content Scope: Offer Letters detail salary, benefits, start dates, and conditions. Employment Letters typically just confirm position, tenure, and sometimes salary
• Primary Users: Offer Letters flow between employers and potential employees. Employment Letters are usually given to current employees for external use