Parent’s Leave and Parent’s Benefit now extended

Parents can now avail of three weeks additional Parent’s Leave and Parent’s Benefit, following commencement last Thursday of the family leave provisions under the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021.

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents’ Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Now, following the commencement of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021, an additional three weeks of paid Parents’ Leave is available to each parent - bringing the total to five weeks paid leave, per parent.

The period in which the leave can be taken is extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.

The extension will allow parents to spend time with their child in the earliest years. It is non-transferrable between parents to ensure that both parents are encouraged and supported in taking time out from work to spend time with their child.

The additional 3 weeks of Parent’s Leave and Parent’s Benefit is available to employees and the self-employed in respect of children born or adopted after 1 November 2019. Parent’s Benefit will be paid at the same rate as Maternity, Paternity and Adoptive benefits, which is €245 per week.

Adoptive Leave and Benefit is being extended to male same sex couples, fulfilling an important commitment in the Programme for Government.

Adoptive parents are now provided with greater flexibility to decide which parent will avail of adoptive leave and benefit, with paternity leave and benefit available to the parent not availing of adoptive leave.