I’m really struggling with stress at work and looking at option of ill health early retirement. Have you any idea of whether this might be approved,
I would be doubtful about getting ill health retirement solely on the basis of being stressed at work. Stress-related illness may be different - or being rendered incapable of providing your normal duties. Have you been on sick leave? Has this been certified by your GP in relation to the stress? A recommendation from your GP or other medical practitioner would considerably strengthen your chances. But it will ultimately depend on the recommendation of the HSE's medical examiner.
Have you any idea of whether this might be approved, if I would get any added years,
If you are granted ill health retirement you would be eligible for added years - the time you would have earned if you had continued working until 60. If you have been job-sharing for the past 8 years then the additional years granted would be equate to your job sharing pattern, eg, if you work 0.5 of full time and you have 4 years to go until your 60th birthday then you would be eligible for 2 added years (assuming your job-sharing is for at least the last 3 years). If you have been working full time for the past 3 years then you would be eligible for 4 added years.
I am eligible to retire at 60 with lump sum and HSE pension, topped up with SW payment as Im on pre 2004 contract ............. would the SW benefit kick in early too or would that only start at age 60?
If you take normal retirement at 60 you could apply for Jobseekers Benefit. But this would only be for 9 months (assuming it is granted). After that you should be eligible for a Supplementary Pension from the HSE - on application.
If you are get ill-health retirement before then you should also meet the requirement for SW Illness Benefit and perhaps subsequently an Invalidity Pension
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social-welfare/disability-and-illness/ . If at 60 you are not getting any Social Welfare payment you can apply then to the HSE for a Supplementary Pension (as in normal retirement after 60).
In the event of not getting ill-health retirement you might consider Cost Neutral Early Retirement. If you did this you would not get any added years - indeed there would be an actuarial reduction in your annual pension. Given you have only a few years to go until retirement the reduction would be relatively small. It is worth considering in light of the stress. You should still be eligible for a Supplementary Pension at 60 (if you are not working elsewhere or claiming a Social Welfare Benefit).
One other thing. No matter when you retire you should consider how you will maintain your PRSI record until State Pension age (or until you have 2080 reckonable PRSI contributions). If you are receiving a SW Benefit you will automatically get reckonable PRSI credits. And if and when your SW Benefit ceases you may be eligible to stay signing on for credits.