Parent's leave

Parent’s leave is time off work to care for your child during their first 2 years. It is different from parental leave in the public health service, which ends when your child turns 16.

You are entitled to 9 weeks of parent's leave.

The leave must be taken within 2 years of your child's birth or adoptive placement. The total entitlement remains 9 weeks even in the case of multiple births or adopting more than one child at the same time.

You will not receive your HSE salary while on parent’s leave. You can apply for parent's benefit from the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

Only you can take your leave entitlement. You cannot pass it on to your partner or anyone else caring for your child.

Taking parent's leave does not affect your other leave entitlements such as maternity leave, adoptive leave, paternity leave, or parental leave.

Entitlement to parent's leave - relevant parent

To take parent’s leave, you must be a relevant parent. Your entitlement depends on using the leave to care for your child.

A relevant parent is:

In the case of adoption

• the qualifying adopter
• spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the qualifying adopter

In any other case

• child's parent
• spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant of the child's parent
• parent of a donor-conceived child

When you can take parent's leave

You must take your parent's leave within 2 years of:

• your child's birth
• your adopted child being placed with you

How the leave can be taken

You can take parent's leave as either:

• one 9 week block
• separate blocks of at least 1 week

If you are taking maternity leave or adoptive leave, you must take that leave before you take parent’s leave.

You can take paternity leave and parent’s leave in either order, as long as you stay within the time limits.

Payment of parent’s benefit

You will not receive your HSE salary while on parent’s leave. You may be entitled to parent’s benefit if you have enough PRSI contributions. This payment is made by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

When applying for parent’s benefit, you must confirm that your leave dates are approved. The DSP may contact your employer to check these dates.

Fixed-term or specified purpose contracts

You can take parent's leave if you are on a fixed-term or specified purpose contract. Your contract stays the same. It will end on the specified date, or when the purpose for which you have been employed ends. Your entitlement to parent's leave ends when your contract ends.

Parent’s leave and early confinement (birth)

If your baby is born 4 weeks or more before the expected due date, this is considered early confinement. The relevant parent must notify their manager within 7 days of the birth.

Changing the start date of parent’s leave

You may select a new start date for your parent's leave if:

• your adoption date is postponed, provided the new date falls within 2 years of the placement
• in all other circumstances, the new start date is before your child turns 2

Postponing parent's leave

Parent’s leave can be postponed by the employer or employee in certain circumstances.

Postponement of parent’s leave by your employer

Your employer may postpone your parent’s leave one time if the requested dates would impact the service.

This may happen due to:

• seasonal peaks in workload
• no available cover for your duties
• the specific nature of your role
• several employees requesting parent’s leave at the same time

You will be told the reason for the postponement in advance. You will receive written notice at least 4 weeks before your leave was due to begin. Any postponement will be for no more than 12 weeks from your original start date. Your manager will discuss and agree a new date with you.

Postponing parent’s leave when a child is in hospital

If your child is in hospital, you may request in writing (email or letter) to postpone your parent’s leave, or part of it.

If the postponement is approved:

• you must continue to work or return to work on an agreed date
• the postponed leave must be taken within 7 days of your child being discharged from hospital

Parent’s leave when a child or parent dies

If your child dies, you can still take parent’s leave if it is within the allowed time period and you qualify as a relevant parent.

If a parent dies, the surviving parent can take any parent’s leave that is transferred to them after their own parent’s leave ends.

Protection of employment rights while on parent’s leave

• Your employment rights are protected while on parent’s leave, except for your right to pay and pension contributions.
• You keep your full annual leave and public holiday entitlements.
• Parent’s leave cannot be counted as any other type of leave (such as sick leave or annual leave).
• You have the right to return to your normal job on the same terms and conditions.
• Your employer cannot penalise you for taking or planning to take parent’s leave.

If you are on probation

If you take parent’s leave while on probation, your probation may be extended. Your probation period will resume when you return to work.

Applying for parent's leave

You must tell your manager at least 6 weeks before you plan to take parent's leave.

Complete the HSE Parent's Leave Application Form (HR108T) (PDF, 200 KB, 3 pages).

You will need to tell your manager:

• the date you plan to start your leave
• the length of leave you want
• how you want to take it (9 consecutive weeks or separate blocks of at least 1 week)

What you need to apply

Birth of a child

Provide 1 of the following:

• a copy of the medical certificate confirming the pregnancy and expected due date
• a copy of the birth certificate (if applying after the birth)

Adoption

Provide:

• a copy of the placement certificate (if applying after the placement)

If adopting from another country, provide both:

• a copy of the declaration of suitability (before placement)
• a copy of the placement certificate (after placement)

Related content

Parental leave

Shorter Working Year Scheme