Ireland: parental leave extended to 5 weeks

As of 01 April 2021, parents of a child born or adopted on or after 01 November 2019, can now take an additional three weeks of parental leave bringing the total number to five weeks. The Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 increases paid parental leave from 2 to 5 weeks per parent. It also extends the period of time during which the leave can be taken, from one year up to the first two years following the birth or placement of a child. Parental allowances will be paid at the same rate as maternity, paternity and adoption benefits, currently €245 per week. Another new feature of the legislation is that adoption leave and benefits are extended to male same-sex couples. Adoptive couples can also choose which of them will benefit from adoption leave with paternity leave and benefit being made available to the second parent. “The Family Leave Act modernizes the law with respect to both adoption leave and paternity leave, reflecting the diversity of Irish families in 2021 and recognizing that for many Irish families both parents work. Most importantly, it also encourages the equal sharing of parenting responsibilities between couples,” commented Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.