Starting from August 1st 2024, the duration of Parent’s Leave and Benefit will extend from seven weeks to nine weeks for parents of children born or adopted after this date. This leave also applies if a child is under the age of 2 years old or was adopted within the last 2 years. Unlike parental leave, parent’s leave is paid, with individuals receiving €274 per week if they have the necessary social insurance contributions.

Parent's leave in Ireland is designed to give working parents the flexibility to balance their professional and family responsibilities, keeping them in the workforce rather than driving them out. The changes made reflect a broader effort to improve work/life balance for parents and support them financially during the crucial early years of parenthood. To read more on Parent’s Leave and Benefit, as well as the eligibility criteria, see here.