Ireland: Parent’s Leave and Parent’s Benefit

Since 1 August 2024, Parent’s leave has been extended from 7 weeks to 9 weeks for employees who are a “relevant parent.”  A “relevant parent” is defined as:

• a parent or adopting parent of a child;
• a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant of the parent of the child; or
• a spouse or civil partner of the adopting parent of the child.

Such relevant parents are now entitled to 9 weeks’ Parent’s leave where the child is born or adopted on or after 1 August 2024. Relevant parents who have a child under 2 on 1 August 2024 or who have an adopted child who had been placed with the family less than 2 years on 1 August 2024 can also avail of the additional 2 weeks’ Parent’s leave.

Parent’s leave must be taken within the first 2 years of the child’s birth or adoption. An employee is not entitled to be paid by an employer during a Parent’s leave, but an employee may be entitled to Parent’s benefit from the State, provided they have sufficient PRSI contributions. Parent’s benefit is also available for self-employed individuals, provided they have sufficient PRSI contributions. Parent’s benefit is currently available at a rate of €274 per week.