With your employer's agreement you can take it as single days, say one day a week, which many parents use to go part-time for a while. You get PRSI credits so your record stays intact.
Quick facts
- Per child
- 26 weeks, unpaid
- Age limit
- 12 (16 with disability)
- Service
- Generally 1 year
- Notice
- 6 weeks
- Blocks
- Continuous or 2 blocks of 6+ weeks
- PRSI
- Credits available
What you get
"You can take up to 26 weeks of parental leave for each eligible child before their 12th birthday." "Each parent has their own entitlement to 26 weeks of unpaid parental leave."
"If you have more than one child, you can take a maximum of 26 weeks in any 12-month period, unless your employer agrees to more." Part-timers get it pro rata: "This means that, if you work 50% of a normal working week, you can take 13 full working weeks of parental leave."
The rules
"Generally, you must have worked for your employer for a year before you can take parental leave." "Take the leave before your child's 12th birthday (or 16th birthday if your child has a disability or long-term illness)", and "Give at least 6 weeks' notice to your employer".
Take it continuously, or in "2 separate blocks of at least 6 weeks each (there must be a gap of at least 10 weeks between the 2 periods of parental leave per child)." Days or hours need your employer's agreement.
Your rights
Your job is protected and you keep building annual leave. "You can get credited PRSI contributions while you are taking parental leave." "Your employer can postpone your parental leave for up to 6 months.", usually once. If your employer won't resolve it, complain to the Workplace Relations Commission online, usually within 6 months. WRC information line: (059) 917 8990.
Common questions
How much parental leave do you get in Ireland?
26 weeks per child for each parent, unpaid, before the child turns 12.
Is parental leave paid in Ireland?
No. Parental leave is unpaid. Parent's leave, which is separate, is paid by Parent's Benefit.
Can I take parental leave one day a week?
Yes, if your employer agrees. Otherwise it's one block or 2 blocks of at least 6 weeks.
How much notice do I need for parental leave?
At least 6 weeks' written notice.
Can my employer refuse parental leave?
Only if you're not entitled to it, but they can postpone it for up to 6 months.