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How Parental Leaves Work in Ireland

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How Parental Leaves Work in Ireland

Summary 


In Ireland, the entitlements for "parent's leave," "parent's benefit," and "parental benefit" are sometimes mixed and mistaken for one another, but they are not. New parents may manage their professional life and parenthood with the help of this article, which also helps them understand their parental rights and responsibilities


Introduction


New parents, both biological and adoptive, now have access to a variety of perks and leave programs because of Irish Corporate Law. Additionally, there are options for flexible work schedules including working from home, job sharing, or part-time employment. Parents who struggle to juggle work and family obligations may benefit from these arrangements.

 

Employers may provide extra perks like paid time off or extended leave to help parents during the early stages of motherhood.

 

However, the benefits don’t go without regulations and application processes

governing maternity leave and other types of leave for mothers, fathers, and partners of biological parents that are subject to change. Keep reading to know more. 


How Sick Leaves Work During Maternity & Pregnancy 


When announcing your intention to take maternity leave, you must give your employer at least 4 weeks' written notice and a doctor's note attesting to your pregnancy. 


Your maternity leave will begin on the date that your doctor specifies on the sickness certificate as the date that you must begin it sooner than anticipated for medical reasons. This one notice will suffice, no further documents or notices are required. 


In Ireland, employers are entitled to pay Statutory Sick Pay rather than Statutory Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) if a currently working employee falls sick while on shared parental leave and you meet the requirements for Statutory Sick Pay. 


Note: While it is prevalent to use online medical certificates for minor sick leaves from work, they are not usable during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or when you are planning to get pregnant, even if it is not a pregnancy-related sickness. However, fathers and male parents don’t have the restriction, they can use an online sick cert for a minor illness. 


Types of Leaves for Parents in Ireland 


According to Irish law, pregnancy, childbirth, maternity, paternity, and parenting time are divided into several different types of statutory entitlements for parents seeking leave from work. All parental leaves in Ireland are governed by the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019, and parents must meet specific requirements to be eligible for particular benefits. These requirements apply to both childbirth and adoption. Below is a layout of the leaves and benefits: 


Maternity Leave: The leave is only applicable to women who are pregnant. A maximum of 26 weeks of paid leave is offered under this entitlement, and up to 16 unpaid weeks are allowed. 

Paternity Leave: This leave is primarily applicable to new fathers, including biological and adoptive fathers, but also includes male partners of the mother, and both male or female parents that adopt a child and are not taking adoptive leave. A maximum of 2 weeks of paid leave is entitled by Irish Law.


Parental Leave: Parental leave applies to both parents of a minimum of 26 weeks of leave a year that is allowed, but it is not paid leave. 


Parents Leave: This leave is given to new parents - both biological parents and adoptive parents during the first 2 years of the child’s age, or in the case of adopted children, the first 2 years of the placement. A minimum of 7 weeks of paid leave is offered to both parents separately. 


Adoptive Leave: This leave is entitled only to parents that have adopted a child, that may be a couple or a single parent. While the parents leave the focus on the age of a biological child or the placement period of an adopted child/children, this leave offers a benefit for eligible parents to have a paid leave of up to 24 weeks + 16 unpaid weeks. 


What is the Parent's Benefit and How Does It Work in Ireland 


The Parent's Benefit pays working parents in Ireland statutory coverage for taking unpaid leave from work to care for their children. Anytime during the first 24 months after their birth, this leave may be taken.

 

For parents of kids born or adopted after July 2022, the benefit has doubled from five weeks to seven weeks. Parents of children under the age of two in July 2022 or adoptive children who have been placed with their parents for less than two years in July 2022 are eligible for the additional two weeks of parental leave.


Author Bio


The author writes extensively about employee leaves in Ireland, parental leave, sick leave, emerging technologies like online sick certificates, and other related subjects. Continue reading to learn more about maintaining a healthy work-life balance in general as well as job security, health security, compliance, and family planning.

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