Quick answer
- Maternity leave provides 26 weeks plus up to 16 additional unpaid weeks.
- A relevant parent may take two continuous weeks of paternity leave within the applicable 26-week window.
- Parent's leave provides nine weeks for each relevant parent within the first two years, subject to the rules.
- Parental leave provides up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave for each eligible child, normally before age 12.
On this page
Compare the four main leave routes
| Leave | Main 2026 entitlement | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity leave | 26 weeks plus up to 16 additional unpaid weeks | State benefit may apply subject to PRSI; employer top-up depends on policy or contract |
| Paternity leave | Two continuous weeks for a relevant parent | State benefit may apply subject to PRSI |
| Parent’s leave | Nine weeks for each relevant parent within the applicable two-year window | Parent’s Benefit may apply subject to PRSI |
| Parental leave | Up to 26 weeks for each eligible child | Statutory leave is unpaid |
Notice, timing and employer response
Each leave has its own notice, evidence, timing and postponement rules. Do not use the name of one leave when applying for another. Put the request in writing, keep proof of delivery and include the dates and documents required for that route.
| Leave | Timing point to check |
|---|---|
| Maternity | The required notice, medical certificate, expected week of confinement and any additional leave. |
| Paternity | Normally two continuous weeks within 26 weeks of birth or placement; the WRC generally requires at least four weeks’ notice. |
| Parent’s | Nine weeks for each relevant parent within the child’s first two years, subject to the route’s notice rules. |
| Parental | Up to 26 weeks, normally before age 12 or age 16 where the disability or long-term illness rule applies. |
Annual leave and employment protection
Annual leave continues to accrue during protected family leave, and public-holiday entitlement may also need to be dealt with under the applicable rules. Employees have protections connected with taking or proposing to take statutory leave and should normally return on the statutory terms that apply to that route.
Leave entitlement and State benefit are separate. An employee can have a right to time away from work but fail the PRSI or application conditions for the associated payment. Parent’s Benefit, for example, is currently a nine-week Department of Social Protection payment where its conditions are met; it is not the source of the employment-law leave entitlement itself.
If a request is refused, postponed or followed by adverse treatment, check the specific WRC guidance and complaint time limit promptly.
Plan the leave sequence
- Name the correct leave. Confirm who qualifies and the child’s relevant age or placement date.
- Check the window. Some leave must be taken within a defined period after birth or placement.
- Give written notice. Follow the route-specific notice and certification rules.
- Check benefit separately. Statutory leave and the related social-welfare payment are not the same test.
- Keep records. Retain the request, response, certificates and payroll records.
Frequently asked questions
Is parent's leave the same as parental leave?
No. They are separate entitlements with different duration, timing, payment and application rules.
How much maternity leave is available?
The current statutory entitlement is 26 weeks of maternity leave plus up to 16 additional unpaid weeks.
Is parental leave paid?
Statutory parental leave is unpaid, although an employer may have a more favourable policy.
Does annual leave build during family leave?
Annual leave continues to accrue during several protected family-leave routes, including maternity, paternity, parent's and parental leave.