Understanding Parent’s Leave entitlements for employees in Ireland. HR Buddy is your trusted HR partner. Contact our team for expert HR advice.
Parent’s Leave Entitlements: Employer’s Guide
Parent’s Leave is a statutory entitlement that allows workers to take leave in order to provide care, or assist in the provision of care, to a child within the first two years of the birth or placement.
It is important that employers ensure that robust and practical policies are in place within their businesses to address all types of family leave entitlements in order to support employees throughout significant milestones in their personal lives and to provide clarity on employee entitlements and the requirements of the relevant application process.
This guide aims to clarify employee rights and employer obligations regarding the updated Parent’s Leave legislation as outlined in the Parent’s Leave & Benefit Act 2019 and the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021.
Contact our team for specific queries that may be unique to your business, or to find out more about our full range of HR services.
Parent’s Leave
On Thursday 1st August 2024, the entitlement of Irish workers to avail of Parent’s Leave is being extended from 7 to 9 weeks. This is the latest amendment to Parent’s Leave since its introduction in Ireland in 2019.
In accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 300/2024, eligible parents can now avail of up to 9 weeks of Parent’s Leave during the first two years of a child’s life, or in the case of an adoption, within two years of the placement of the child with the family.
In order to be eligible to claim the additional 2 weeks of Parent’s Leave, the child must be under the age of two on 1st August 2024, or must have been placed with the family for less than two years on this date, in the case of adoption.
It is important to note that Parent’s Leave cannot be applied for beyond this 2-year time limit and also that, in the event of multiple births, the entitlement will remain at 9 weeks.
Employee Entitlements
An employee who is deemed a Relevant Parent to an eligible child is entitled to avail of Parent’s Leave provided that the employee adheres to the correct application process, including the provision of 6 weeks’ notice of the employee’s intention to avail of Parent’s Leave, to the employer.
The employee can request to take the leave in blocks of at least one week in duration or greater, until the entitlement to leave is exhausted.
Postponement of Leave
A request to take Parent’s Leave can be postponed by the employer for up to 12 weeks, in the event that it is deemed that the taking of the leave would have a substantial adverse effect on the operation of their business.
The employer must provide at least 4 weeks’ notice in writing of their decision to postpone the leave to the employee and both parties must agree to the new leave dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parent’s Leave paid leave?
Where the employee has sufficient PRSI contributions, they can apply to the Department of Social Protection for a Parent’s Benefit payment. Employers are not obligated to pay an employee who is availing of Parent’s Leave. Parent’s Benefit is also available to self-employed workers.
Can Parent’s Leave be combined with other types of leave?
Parent’s Leave, Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave and Parental Leave are all individual types of family leave, each with different entitlements, and must be applied for separately. Speak to our HR team for further assistance on any other type of family leave.
Can Parent’s Leave be transferred between parents?
Both parents have a statutory entitlement to avail of Parent’s Leave. This entitlement can be transferred following the death of a parent. Speak to our HR team for further information.
Can Parent’s Leave be postponed to a date beyond the 2-year time limit?
If circumstances have necessitated a postponement of Parent’s Leave to a later date that is now beyond the 2-year time limit for the taking of Parent’s Leave, the worker may still be eligible to apply for Parent’s Benefit as long as adequate documentation is submitted in support of their application confirming that the originally requested dates of leave were within the 2-year eligibility period and specifying the reason for postponement.
Need more support?
For employers: This guide provides a general overview of Parent’s Leave entitlements in Ireland. If you have further questions or require specific guidance regarding your business’s situation, the friendly HR Buddy team is here to help.
We offer a comprehensive suite of HR services for small businesses, ensuring you have the support you need to navigate complex employment issues and remain compliant with Irish regulations.
Contact our team of HR experts by phone at 064 669 8034 or email us at info@hrbuddy.ie for tailored advice on managing leave entitlements for your employees.