FreeNow is offering taxi drivers €1.5m in bonuses to work during peak times this St Patrick’s weekend.

The taxi booking app said the fund will reward and incentivise drivers who work during peak times on the ‘busiest weekend of the year to date’.

The company said the St Patrick’s festivities mixed with Saturday’s Grand Slam opportunity for the Irish rugby team will see a surge in demand for taxis.

It expects the busiest time on the app so far this year to come this Saturday morning at 1am – with up to 30,000 requests an hour and eight requests per second expected.

Children watch the Limerick St Patrick’s Day Parade, 17-03-2015. Image: Alan Place/FusionShooters

It said the weekend will be one of the busiest so far this year – with a 30% increase in tax trips expected compared to last year.

Meanwhile, FreeNow said it also expects to see a 73% rise in trips from Dublin Airport, with around 432,000 passengers expected to pass through for the national holiday.

FreeNow General Manager Niall Carson said: “St. Patrick’s weekend is yet another period where taxi drivers in Ireland rise to the challenge and keep the country moving.”

“That’s why we’re committing over €1.5 million in bonuses for drivers this coming week for one of our busiest weekends of the year.

“Where possible we would advise passengers to book their journeys in advance using our Reserve booking option to avoid delays.”

File photo of the Dublin city skyline at night, 24-02-2009. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

FreeNow is also urging passengers to consider using public transport when heading into the festivities.

Passengers are also advised to avoid peak times and move away from high-footfall areas if possible.