Adoptive leave

Parents who are adopting, whether alone or as a couple, are entitled to 24 weeks paid adoptive leave. Only 1 parent in a couple may request this leave.

Adoptive leave applies to:

• sole adopter (parent adopting a child on their own)
• nominated parent (couple adopting a child)

The adopting couple can decide who will take the adoptive leave (who will be the nominated parent). An adopting couple means a married couple, civil partners, or cohabiting couple who adopts a child.

Adoptive leave entitlement

You are entitled to 24 weeks paid adoptive leave (ordinary adoptive leave).

You may also take 16 weeks unpaid additional adoptive leave immediately after your ordinary adoptive leave ends.

In foreign adoptions, some or all of the 16 weeks of additional adoptive leave can be taken immediately before the date of placement.

Pay while on leave

You will receive your basic pay and normal fixed allowances while on adoptive leave (with Adoptive Benefit deducted, if applicable).

You can apply for Adoptive Benefit through the Department of Social Protection (DSP). You should apply at least 6 weeks before you plan to go on adoptive leave.

You do not receive Adoptive Benefit for the additional 16 weeks of adoptive leave.

Pre-adoption meetings and classes

You are entitled to paid time off from work to attend pre-adoption classes and meetings.

You should notify your manager as soon as possible, and no later than 2 weeks in advance, that you will be taking time off to attend a meeting or class.

You may be asked to provide supporting documentation to confirm the dates and times of meetings or classes.

Return to work

Your employment rights are protected while you’re on adoptive leave. You will have the same annual leave and public holiday entitlements.

You are entitled to return to the same job you were doing before you went on adoptive leave. Your terms and conditions of employment remain the same.

You will be offered a suitable alternative job where it is not reasonably practicable for your manager to allow you to return to the same job. The terms of this contract will not be less favourable to you.

You must give at least 4 weeks written notice of when you intend to return to work following adoptive or additional adoptive leave (you may do this by email).

Applying for adoptive leave

You must tell your manager that you're applying for adoptive leave at least 4 weeks before you plan to take it.

You must also give your manager 4 weeks notice if you intend to take the additional 16 weeks adoptive leave.

You will be required to provide a certificate of placement to confirm the adoption.

If the day of adoption placement is rescheduled, you may postpone your leave until the new date of placement.

Adoptive Leave Application Form – HR 108(a)

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