KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

PATERNITY LEAVE

Question: My wife is expecting a baby early next year. Will I be entitled to time off work after the birth?

Answer Yes. Since 1 September 2016, eligible parents are entitled to 2 weeks’ statutory paternity leave from employment or self-employment following the birth or adoption of a child.

Under the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016, eligible parents include:

The father of the child, The spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the mother of the childThe parent of a donor-conceived child

In the case of an adopted child, an eligible parent includes:

The nominated parent in the case of a married same-sex couple orThe spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the adopting mother or sole male adopter

The Act provides for statutory paternity leave of 2 weeks. You can start paternity leave at any time within the first 6 months following the birth or adoption placement. You must notify your employer in writing that you intend to take paternity leave and provide your intended dates no later than 4 weeks before your leave.

Your entitlement to pay and superannuation during paternity leave depends on the terms of your contract of employment. Employers are not obliged to pay employees who are on paternity leave.

You may qualify for Paternity Benefit from the Department of Social Protection if you have sufficient PRSI contributions.

For further information about paternity leave, you can contact the Workplace Relations Commission’s Information and Customer Service at Locall 1890 80 80 90 or through the website, workplacerelations.ie.

Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.

Killarney–0761 07 7820 Email: killarney@citinfo.ie; Tralee–0761 07 7860 Email: tralee@citinfo.ie; Caherciveen–0761 07 7780 Email: caherciveen@citinfo.ie

Kenmare–0761 07 7810 Email: kenmare@citinfo.ie; Killorglin - 0761 07 7830 Email: killorglin@ citinfo.ie; Listowel - 0761 07 7840 Email: .listowel@citinfo.ie

Phone Centre No: 0761 07 4000