Parental Leave

The Parental Leave Act, 1998, which came into operation on the 3rd December 1998, makes provision for unpaid leave for fathers and mothers to look after young children. Parental leave may be taken either as a continuous block of 14 weeks, or with the agreement of the employer, broken up over a period of time.

The Act also provides for limited paid leave (force majeure leave), which must not exceed 3 days in any 12 consecutive months, or 5 days in any consecutive 36 months, to enable employees to deal with family emergencies resulting from injury or illness of a family member.

Parents who take Paternal Leave may be entitled to receive a PRSI Credit in respect of each week taken. This will ensure that your existing cover for Social Welfare benefits are fully maintained. 

Your employer should write to the Records Update Section (address below) confirming the duration, number of weeks and exact dates of your Parental Leave. 

For further information on PRSI Credits in respect of Parental Leave, contact: Records Update Section, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Gandon House, Amiens Street, Dublin 1. Tel: (01) 704 3000 

For more information on Parental Leave, contact: The Equality Authority, Clonmel Street, Dublin 2. Tel: LoCall 1890 245545 or (01) 4173333 Website: www.equality.ie