Leave Type

Who gets it?

How long?

Is it paid?

Find out more

Maternity Leave

Female Employees

26 weeks and up to 16 unpaid weeks.

Yes, Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks.

Maternity Leave

Adoptive Leave

One parent of the adoptive couple, or a parent adopting alone.

24 weeks and up to 16 unpaid weeks.

Yes, Adoptive Benefit is paid for 24 weeks

Adoptive Leave

Paternity Leave

New parents of children under 6 months of age (usually the father or the partner of the mother, or in the case of adoption, the parent who is not taking adoptive leave or maternity leave).

2 weeks

Yes, Paternity Benefit is paid for 2 weeks.

Paternity Leave

Parental Leave

Parents and guardians of children under 12.

26 weeks

No, it’s unpaid.

Parental Leave

Parents leave

Parents of children under 2 years of age.

Parents of adopted children in the first 2 years of the placement of the child.

 7 weeks 

Parent’s leave is unpaid. However, dependant on your PRSI status, there may be an entitlement to claim Parent’s Benefit for this 7-week period from the Dept. of Social Protection.

Parents Leave

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