An increase in the amount of Parent’s Leave was expected this year following Budget 2024.

As highlighted in our first newsletter of 2024, an increase in the amount of Parent’s Leave was expected this year following Budget 2024. From 1st August 2024, parents are now entitled to nine weeks of Parent’s Leave in respect of children born or adopted on or after 1st August 2024, an increase from seven weeks.

Parent’s Leave entitles “a relevant parent” to avail of time off work during the first two years of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within two years of the placement of the child with the family. A relevant parent is the parent of the child, the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant of the parent of the child, the adopting parents or parent of the child or the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant of the adopting parent of the child (if they have not adopted the child together) or the parent of a donor-conceived child (as provided for under section 5 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015). During a period of Parent’s Leave, parents will be entitled to avail of Parent’s Benefit through the Department of Social Welfare if they have sufficient PRSI contributions and meet any relevant eligibility requirements.

Parent’s Leave was initially introduced in Ireland by the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019. This legislation initially provided for only two weeks of Parent’s Leave, but this has been steadily increased over the past number of years.

For further updates throughout the year, please keep an eye on our newsletter!

Authors – Tara Kelly and Jenny Wakely