Workers can accrue annual leave while on long-term sick leave @ 02 Aug 2015
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2015/en.act.2015.0016.pdf

Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2015 Section 86(1) of the Workplace Relations Act 2015, together with a number of technical and operational provisions of the Act, will be brought into operation on 1st August, 2015 by the Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2015, made byMinister Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, this week.

The Workplace Relations Act 2015 will give effect to new workplace relations structures, including the establishment of the Workplace Relations Commission which it is proposed to commence on 1st October.  There are a number of technical and operational provisions of the Act which can be commenced in advance of the establishment of the new structures, and these will be included in the Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2015.