Can a employee be made to work another day for St. Patrick's Day

[johnd]

I have a young friend who works three half days a week. One of his normal working days falls this year on St. Patrick's day. His boss has said he has to make up the time for taking St. Patrick's day off even though the company will be closed. This is not correct in my opinion, but what is the exact position in Labour law in Ireland.

 

[Gervan]

Part-time employees must have worked at least 40 hours in the 5 weeks ending on the day before the public holiday to qualify for the public holiday as a paid day off. How many hours a week does your friend work?

If he does qualify he is entitled to his employer's choice of the following:
a paid day off on that day or a paid day off within a month of that day or an additional day of annual leave or an additional day's pay.