In addition to the parental leave outlined above, a Parent’s Leave Scheme allows both parents to take paid leave during their child’s first two years.
Parent’s Leave is available to the relevant parent to enable them to provide, or assist in the provision of, care to the child.
From 1st August 2024, the Parent’s Leave entitlement is increased to 9 weeks for a relevant parent.
Parent’s Leave can be taken as follows:-
(a) a continuous period of 9 weeks (i.e. 63 consecutive days including weekends, school closures and days on which a teacher is not timetabled for attendance within that period)
(b) 9 instances of one-week blocks or
(c) any combination, subject to a combined total of 9 weeks.
Please note that payment is made by the Department of Social Protection (currently €289 per week) only and is not topped up by the Department of Education/DFHERIS/ employer. See Circular Letter 58/2024 for full details of the scheme.