Parents can now avail of an additional two weeks of paid Parent's Leave and Benefit after the number of weeks that parents can take off work with state financial support was increased from five to seven.
From July1, measures to extend paid parental leave have been introduced by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman after take-up of Parent's Leave and Benefit tripled since 2020.
Some 51,400 parents of a child under two years of age or a child they have adopted in the past two years took up the supports in 2021, compared to 16,700 in 2020 when many professionals were required to work from home in line with public health restrictions.
Successful applications for Parent's Leave and Benefit have reached 28,000 so far this year.
"This is a support that we have increased over several budgets and the significant raise in take-up demonstrates just how popular it is with parents," said Humphreys.
In Association with
“I believe strongly that the first few weeks and months spent with a new-born son or daughter is so important. Today’s measure will see the number of weeks of paid leave each parent can take increase from five to seven.
“I’m committed to working closely with my colleague, Minister O’Gorman, in delivering further increases in this support. Because by doing so, we will ensure that mothers and fathers who experience that special occasion of welcoming their child into the world, will know that their state supports them.”
Minister O'Gorman added: "We want to ensure that new parents are supported to spend quality time with their babies in those first weeks and months, and be there to share special bonding moments.
“Since the formation of this government, we have increased Parent’s Leave and Benefit from two weeks to seven weeks, enabling tens of thousands of new parents to take time away from work knowing that they are financially supported."
The €250 per week Parent's Benefit is paid to employed and self-employed parents who meet the required number of PRSI contributions. With the increase, seven weeks of payments of €1,750 now available to each parent of a child.
Moira Grassick, chief operations officer with Peninsula Ireland, said that the immediate effect of this change is that employers need to amend and update their related policies and procedures setting out exactly what is involved.
"As this extension applies from today there is a wide grouping in employment throughout the country who may be eligible. They will have rights and entitlements which can be set out in their Staff Handbook or Policies and Procedures documentation," she stated.
People can claim the additional two weeks' parent's leave if their child is under the age of 2 on 1 July 2022. The parent must complete the extra leave on or before their child's second birthday.
(Pic: Getty Images)
