Ireland paid time off

How long is maternity leave in Ireland?

In Ireland, employees have the right to take 26 weeks or 156 days of maternity leave if they become pregnant, followed by the option to take up to 16 weeks of unpaid leave. This right applies regardless of whether the employee is working full-time, part-time, or in a casual capacity. Employees are also entitled to take at least two weeks of maternity leave before the end of the week of the expected birth of their baby, and at least four weeks after.

The eligibility for paid maternity leave in Ireland is tied to the worker’s contributions to Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI). To qualify for maternity benefits, an individual must have paid sufficient PRSI contributions in the relevant tax years leading up to the claim for the benefit. Specifically, to be eligible for maternity benefit, the individual must:

• Have at least 39 weeks of PRSI paid up to the end of the 12th week, before the expected week of childbirth. Employees who have maintained their PRSI contributions are entitled to avail of paid maternity leave benefits provided by the Department of Social Protection.
• At least 39 weeks of PRSI have been paid since the start of employment, and at least 39 weeks have been paid or credited in the relevant tax year or the tax year immediately following the relevant tax year.
• At least 26 weeks of PRSI were paid in the relevant tax year, and at least 26 weeks of PRSI paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

The weekly standard rate of the maternity benefit is 274 EUR.

Extended maternity leave in Ireland

After the initial 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, working mothers in Ireland have the option to take 16 weeks of additional unpaid maternity leave. During this unpaid period, employees are not entitled to receive payment from their employer or the Department of Social Protection. However, employees are still protected by employment rights and are entitled to return to their job after the additional maternity leave period.

How long is paternity leave in Ireland?

Paternity leave in Ireland allows new parents to take 2 weeks off from work, which applies to both employed and self-employed individuals. The leave can be taken at any time within the first 6 months after the birth of the baby. Fathers can also take paternity leave when adopting a child.

The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the legal framework for paternity leave in Ireland. The Act allows for two weeks of leave to be taken by a “relevant parent,” which typically refers to fathers, but can also include same-sex couples. Employers are required to keep records of their employees’ paternity leave and must retain these records for a minimum of 8 years.

The paternity leave benefit, which consists of 274 EUR per week, is available for two consecutive weeks. Individuals covered by PRSI are eligible for this benefit.

Parental leave benefits in Ireland

Each parent in Ireland has the right to 7 weeks of leave during the first two years of a child’s life. The entitlement for parents is the same in the case of adoption, which must be within two years of the placement of the child following adoption. To be eligible, employees must have completed at least one year of employment and must submit a written request for parental leave to their employer at least six weeks prior to the desired start date.

Parent’s Benefit is a scheme available in Ireland that provides a payment to parents who take parental leave from work. It was introduced on November 1, 2019. To qualify for Parent’s Benefit, individuals must have sufficient social insurance (PRSI) contributions. Parental leave can be taken for 26 weeks continuously or can be divided into shorter periods with the agreement of the employer.

Is there an age limit for parental leave in Ireland?

In Ireland, there is no age limit for parents to take parental leave. However, they must take the parental leave before their child is 12 years of age, or 16 years of age in the case of a child with a disability or long-term illness.