Back to campaign

    Plain-English Guide, Updated June 2026

    Family Leave in Ireland: A Complete Guide to All 7 Types

    Ireland has seven statutory family leave entitlements. They are not interchangeable, the pay rates differ, and the rules around timing and notice trip up many families. This page explains each one in plain English, with links to the official source.

    Why this guide exists

    Most Irish parents discover the gaps in our leave system only after their first child is born. By then the choices are already made. The most consequential gap is paternity leave: just two weeks, at a flat rate of €299 per week. We are asking the Oireachtas to extend it to eight.

    Sign the petition

    At a glance

    LeaveDurationPaid?
    Maternity Leave26 weeks paid + 16 weeks unpaidYes (state benefit)
    Paternity Leave2 weeksYes (state benefit)
    Parent's Leave9 weeks per parentYes (state benefit)
    Parental Leave (unpaid)26 weeks per childNo
    Adoptive Leave24 weeks paid + 16 weeks unpaidYes (state benefit)
    Force Majeure LeaveUp to 3 days in 12 months, or 5 days in 36 monthsYes (state benefit)
    Carer's Leave13 to 104 weeks per care recipientNo

    Maternity Leave

    Ireland's longest statutory family leave. 26 weeks of paid leave with an optional 16 weeks unpaid afterwards.

    Who qualifies
    Mothers (employees)
    Duration
    26 weeks paid + 16 weeks unpaid
    Pay
    State Maternity Benefit (€299/week in 2026) for the 26 paid weeks. Some employers top up to full salary.
    When it can be taken
    Must start at least 2 weeks before the expected birth and finish at least 4 weeks after the birth.
    Notice required
    At least 4 weeks before leave begins, with a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy.
    • Available from the first day of employment, no service requirement.
    • Protected against dismissal, with the right to return to the same job.
    • PRSI contribution conditions must be met to qualify for the state payment.
    • Can be extended in cases of premature birth or hospitalisation of the baby.
    Official source: Citizens Information: Maternity leave

    Paternity Leave

    Among the shortest dedicated leave entitlements for fathers in Western Europe. The 8 Weeks for Families petition exists to change this.

    Who qualifies
    Fathers (employees and self-employed)
    Duration
    2 weeks
    Pay
    State Paternity Benefit (€299/week in 2026). A minority of employers top up to full pay.
    When it can be taken
    Any time in the first 6 months after the birth or adoption placement.
    Notice required
    At least 4 weeks before the intended start date.
    • Introduced in Ireland in 2016 and unchanged since.
    • Available to fathers, same-sex partners of the mother, and the partner of an adopting parent.
    • Must be taken as a single block of two consecutive weeks.
    • Often unaffordable for families because €299/week is far below the average wage.
    Official source: Citizens Information: Paternity leave

    Parent's Leave

    A per-parent, non-transferable entitlement designed to encourage shared caring. Pay is low and the weeks expire at age 2.

    Who qualifies
    Each parent individually (cannot be transferred)
    Duration
    9 weeks per parent
    Pay
    State Parent's Benefit (€299/week in 2026).
    When it can be taken
    Any time in the first 2 years after birth or adoption placement.
    Notice required
    At least 6 weeks before the intended start date.
    • Originally introduced as 2 weeks in 2019, increased in stages to 9 weeks in 2024.
    • Use it or lose it: a parent cannot transfer their weeks to the other parent.
    • Can be taken in one block or split into separate weeks, subject to employer agreement.
    • Distinct from Parental Leave, which is unpaid.
    Official source: Citizens Information: Parent's leave

    Parental Leave (unpaid)

    A long entitlement on paper, but unpaid status puts it out of reach for many families.

    Who qualifies
    Each parent for each eligible child
    Duration
    26 weeks per child
    Pay
    Unpaid.
    When it can be taken
    Any time up to the child's 12th birthday (16th if the child has a disability).
    Notice required
    At least 6 weeks before the intended start date.
    • Available after 1 year of continuous service. A reduced entitlement applies after 3 months.
    • Can be taken in one continuous block, two separate blocks, or by agreement with the employer in shorter chunks.
    • Pension and most service-related rights are preserved during the leave.
    • In practice, take-up skews heavily towards higher-income households.
    Official source: Citizens Information: Parental leave

    Adoptive Leave

    Mirrors maternity leave for adopting parents, with the same low statutory pay.

    Who qualifies
    One adopting parent, or the sole male adopter
    Duration
    24 weeks paid + 16 weeks unpaid
    Pay
    State Adoptive Benefit (€299/week in 2026) for the paid period.
    When it can be taken
    Starts on the day the child is placed with the adopting parents.
    Notice required
    At least 4 weeks before the placement, with a certificate of placement.
    • Where the parents are a couple, only one parent may take Adoptive Leave.
    • The other parent is entitled to Paternity Leave.
    • Right to return to the same job is protected.
    Official source: Citizens Information: Adoptive leave

    Force Majeure Leave

    A short, paid emergency entitlement for urgent family situations.

    Who qualifies
    Any employee with a close family member in crisis
    Duration
    Up to 3 days in 12 months, or 5 days in 36 months
    Pay
    Paid at full salary by the employer.
    When it can be taken
    When an immediate family member is injured or ill and your presence is indispensable.
    Notice required
    As soon as reasonably practicable after taking the leave.
    • Covers spouse, partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, or person in loco parentis.
    • Part of a day counts as a full day.
    • Cannot be used for planned appointments or routine childcare.
    Official source: Citizens Information: Force majeure leave

    Carer's Leave

    Job-protected leave to provide full-time care for a person requiring it.

    Who qualifies
    Employees caring for a person needing full-time care
    Duration
    13 to 104 weeks per care recipient
    Pay
    Unpaid by the employer. Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance may apply.
    When it can be taken
    By agreement with the employer, subject to a relevant person needing care.
    Notice required
    At least 6 weeks before the leave begins.
    • Available after 1 year of continuous service.
    • The relevant person must be assessed as needing full-time care by the Department of Social Protection.
    • Can be taken in one block, or in multiple shorter periods of at least 13 weeks.
    Official source: Citizens Information: Carer's leave

    How to apply for paternity leave in Ireland

    The application has two parts: notifying your employer of the leave, and applying to the Department of Social Protection for the State Paternity Benefit that pays you during it. Do both at least 4 weeks before your intended start date.

    1. Notify your employer in writing at least 4 weeks before you want the leave to start. State your chosen start date. Two weeks must be taken as a single unbroken block.
    2. Complete form PB2 (employees) or PB3 (self-employed) to apply for State Paternity Benefit.
    3. Submit your application via MyWelfare.ie at least 4 weeks before the leave begins.
    4. Include a medical certificate confirming the expected week of birth, or a certificate of placement in the case of adoption.
    5. Take the leave at any point within 26 weeks of the birth or adoption placement.

    Official source: MyWelfare.ie — Paternity Benefit.

    How Ireland compares

    The contrast with our European neighbours is stark. Most countries that compete with Ireland for talent give fathers many times more leave, at much higher pay.

    CountryPaternity / Father's leavePay
    Ireland2 weeks€299/week flat
    Spain19 weeks100% of salary
    Iceland6 months80% of salary
    Norway15 to 19 weeks80 to 100% of salary
    Sweden90 earmarked days (480 shared)~80% of salary

    Frequently asked questions

    Common questions about Irish family leave, including paternity leave, parent's leave, and maternity leave.

    How much paternity leave do fathers get in Ireland?+

    Two weeks. Fathers are entitled to two weeks of statutory paternity leave, paid at the State Paternity Benefit rate of €299 per week (2026). It must be taken in a single block within the first six months after the birth or adoption placement.

    What is the difference between Paternity Leave, Parent's Leave, and Parental Leave?+

    Paternity Leave is 2 weeks for fathers in the first 6 months. Parent's Leave is 9 weeks per parent in the first 2 years and is paid at €299/week. Parental Leave is 26 weeks per child up to age 12, but is unpaid. The names are similar but they are three separate entitlements.

    Can both parents take leave at the same time in Ireland?+

    Yes. Maternity, Paternity, Parent's, and Parental Leave can be taken concurrently, subject to the rules and notice periods of each scheme. Many families overlap Paternity Leave with the early weeks of Maternity Leave so the father can support the recovery and feeding.

    Is paternity pay in Ireland the same as full salary?+

    No. Statutory Paternity Benefit is €299 per week in 2026, well below the average Irish wage. A minority of employers top up to full pay. For most families, taking the full two weeks means a sharp drop in household income at the most expensive moment of their lives.

    How does Irish paternity leave compare to other European countries?+

    Poorly. Spain offers 19 weeks at 100% of salary. Iceland offers 6 months at 80%. Norway gives 15 to 19 weeks at 80 to 100%. Sweden ringfences 90 days for each parent inside a 480-day shared pot. Ireland's 2 weeks is among the shortest dedicated entitlements for fathers in Western Europe.

    Two weeks is not enough

    Ireland's paternity leave hasn't moved since 2016. Eight weeks would put us in line with the European mainstream and give every family a real chance to start well.

    Sign the petition

    This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Rates and rules are accurate as of June 2026. Always check Citizens Information or speak to your employer for your specific situation.