Global Compliance Desk – Ireland

Ireland: Upcoming Changes to Parent’s Leave

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2024 has been signed into law, bringing notable changes to parent’s leave effective August 1, 2024. This new legislation aims to extend the duration of leave available to parents and promote better work-life balance and greater parental involvement in child-rearing.     

Current Parent Leave Entitlement

Each parent is entitled to 7 weeks of parent’s leave during the first 2 years of a child’s life. Parent’s Leave is also available to employees in the case of the adoption of a child, where the leave can be taken within 2 years of the child’s placement with the family.  

The leave entitlement remains the same regardless of whether there are multiple births or adoptions, such as twins or adopting two or more children simultaneously.

The leave can be taken on one continuous period of 7 weeks or as separate weeks. This leave cannot be transferred between parents except in specified circumstances such as the death of one of the parents. An employee who is on a parent’s leave will be still entitled to annual leave and any public holidays that occur during the parent’s leave.

Eligible employees with sufficient Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions can receive a weekly Parent’s Benefit of EUR 274 from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) during this leave. Employers are not obligated to pay employees during parent’s leave, though some may choose to do so or offer supplemental pay as per their contractual agreements.

Upcoming Changes to Parent’s Leave

Effective, August 1, 2024, the parent’s leave entitlement of every eligible parent will be extended to 9 weeks for children born or adopted on or after this date. 

Additionally, employees can claim the extra 2 weeks of leave if their child is under the age of 2 years on August 1, 2024, or an adopted child has been placed with their parents less than 2 years on August 1, 2024. 

The additional parent’s leave must be taken on or before the child’s second birthday or within two years of the adoption placement.

Parent’s benefits will be extended to 9 weeks for each eligible parent. Parents who meet the eligibility criteria (having sufficient Pay Related Social Insurance Contributions), can receive a weekly parent’s benefit of EUR 274 from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) during the leave.

Takeaway – Employers should review and update their parent’s leave policies to align with these changes.