Parent's Leave - My CMS

Changes to Parent’s Leave from April 2021

From April 2021:

• The 2 weeks’ parent’s leave has increased to 5 weeks for each parent.
• The 2 weeks’ Parent’s Benefit has increased to 5 weeks for each parent (if you qualify).
• You can take parent’s leave during the first 2 years of your child’s life (or 2 years from adoption).
• You can take 5 weeks together or take separate weeks of leave.
• The increase is available for any child born or adopted on or after 1 November 2019.

Parent’s leave entitles each parent to 5 weeks’ leave during the first 2 years of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within 2 years of the placement of the child with the family.

Each parent is entitled to 5 weeks paid parent’s leave for a child born or adopted on or after 1 November 2019. The leave period remains the same in the case of multiple births.

What is the difference between parental leave and parent’s leave?

Parental leave entitles parents to take unpaid leave from work to spend time looking after their children. Both parents can take up to 26 weeks parental leave.

Parent’s leave is specifically for parents during the child’s first 2 years.

Rules about parent’s leave

You must meet certain criteria to be eligible to take parent’s leave. You must:

• Be a relevant parent.
• 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 you more rights.

Who can take parent’s leave?

Relevant parents can take parent’s leave for eligible children. A relevant parent is one of the following:

• A parent of the child.
• 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).

Parent’s leave cannot be transferred between parents – except in specified circumstances such as the death of one of the parents.

How much will I get paid during parent’s leave?

If you have enough PRSI contributions, you will get a weekly Parent’s Benefit of €245 per week. This is paid by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). Your employer does not have to pay you while you are on parent’s leave. However, some employers do pay or top up your pay during the leave period – this is set out in your contract of employment.

Other rules for parent’s leave

• 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.

How to apply for parent’s leave

You must give notice to your employer before you can take parent’s leave.

You must:

• Give your notice in writing.
• Tell your employer at least 6 weeks before the leave is due to start.
• Include the start date, the way the leave will be taken and how long the leave will last.