7 August 2026
By Bryan McCarthy
bryan@TheCork.ie
Know your Rights
Parent’s leave entitles each parent to 9 weeks’ leave during the first 2 years of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within 2 years of the placement of the child with the family. It is available to both employees and people who are self-employed.
You may also qualify for a payment called Parent’s Benefit during parent’s leave. Parent’s Benefit is paid while you are on parent’s leave from work if you have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
File photo: Feet of new born baby in incubator
Who can take parent’s leave?
Relevant parents can take parent’s leave for eligible children. A relevant parent is one of the following:
- A parent of the child
- A spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the parent of the child
- A parent of a donor-conceived child as provided for under section 5 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015
- The adopting parent or parents of a child
- The civil partner or spouse of the child’s adopting parent (if the parents have not adopted jointly)
How can I take parent’s leave?
You can take this leave as either one continuous period of 9 weeks leave or separate periods of not less than one week
How much will I get paid during parent’s leave?
If you have enough PRSI contributions, you will get a weekly Parent’s Benefit of €299 per week. This is paid by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). Your employer does not have to pay you while you are on parent’s leave. However, some employers do pay or top up your pay during the leave period – this is set out in your contract of employment.
Other rules for parent’s leave
You are treated as being in employment while you are on parent’s leave. You are entitled to return to your job after parent’s leave, you can build up annual leave while you are on parent’s leave and you are entitled to any public holidays that occur during your parent’s leave.
You can get credited PRSI contributions while you are on parent’s leave.
Can I share my parent’s leave with my partner?
Both parents have an equal separate entitlement to parent’s leave. You cannot transfer your entitlement to your partner. Where one parent dies, the surviving parent is entitled to leave for the amount of leave the deceased parent did not take from their 9-week entitlement (this is known as transferred parent’s leave).
How to apply for parent’s leave
You must give written notice to your employer before you can take parent’s leave.
Tell your employer at least 6 weeks before the leave is due to start and include the start date, the way the leave will be taken and how long the leave will last
Include appropriate certification confirming your eligibility such as a birth certificate, or in the case of adoption, the certificate of placement.
Can my employer refuse my application for parent’s leave?
Your employer can only refuse parent’s leave if you are not entitled to it. Your employer can postpone your parent’s leave once for up to 12 weeks. Your employer could postpone your leave for a number of reasons. Contact your local CIC for more information.
Further information on this and other topics is available from Cork City Centre CIC in Cornmarket Street, open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9.45am to 12.30pm and Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm, Tel 0818 07 6950 (Lines open Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm). Blackpool CIC is also open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Tel 0818 07 6890 while Hollyhill CIC is open Mondays and Fridays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, Tel: 0818 07 6850.
Information is also available from the Citizens Information Phone Service Tel: 0818 07 4000 (9am – 8pm, Mon – Fri) or online at www.citizensinformation.ie