Changes to Parent’s Leave explained

Parent’s Leave entitles each parent to 7 weeks’ leave during the first 2 years of a child’s life
It will increase from 7 weeks to 9 weeks for children born or adopted after August 1, 2024.
You can claim the additional 2 weeks’ parent’s leave if your child is under the age of 2 on August 1, 2024, or your adopted child has been placed with your family less than 2 years on August 1, 2024
You must complete the extra leave on or before your child’s second birthday or within 2 years of the adoption placement
Parent’s Benefit will also increase from 7 weeks to 9 weeks for each parent (if you qualify)
- Take the leave within 104 weeks (2 years) of the birth of the child or in the case of adoption, from the date the child is placed with you (the placement date)
- Give at least 6 weeks’ notice to your employer
- The legislation only provides for the minimum entitlement to Parent’s Leave. Your contract of employment may give more rights.
- A spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the parent of the child
- A parent of a donor-conceived child as provided for under section 5 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015
- The adopting parent or parents of a child
- The spouse, civil partner or spouse of the adopting parent of the child (if the parents have not adopted jointly)
- One continuous period of 7 weeks leave or
- Separate periods of not less than one week
You are treated as being in employment while you are on parent’s leave (and all other types of statutory leave for parents). You are entitled to return to your job after parent’s leave.
Annual leave - you can build up annual leave while you are on parent’s leave.
Public holidays - you are entitled to any public holidays that occur during your parent’s leave.
PRSI contributions - you can get credited PRSI contributions while you are on parent’s leave.
- Seasonal variations in the volume of work
- No replacement to carry out your work
- The nature of your duties
- The number of other employees also taking parent’s leave