Family Rights

Paternity Leave

Entitlement to Paternity Leave An employee who is a qualifying parent in relation to a child is entitled to 2 weeks’ leave from his or her employment, known as “paternity leave”, to enable him or her to provide, or assist in the provision of care to the child or to provide support to the relevant adopting parent or mother of the child, as the case may be, or both.… Read the rest

Parental Leave Issues

EU Directives I The Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended by the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006, governs parental leave. It implements EU Directives. The legislation provides for unpaid leave of up to 18 weeks in total.… Read the rest

Parental Leave

Persons Entitled to Parental Leave Employees and certain others are entitled to parental leave rights. An “employee” for this purpose means a person employed under a contract of service or apprenticeship. The following are deemed to be employees for the purpose of parental leave; a person places by an employment agency who personally performs any work or service for a business a person holding office under, or in the service of, the State (including a member of the Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces or a civil servant an officer or servant of a local authority of a harbour authority, health board or member of the staff of an education and training board An employee who is a qualifying parent in respect of a child is entitled to leave from his or her employment known as parental leave for a period of 18 working weeks to enable him or her to take care of the child.… Read the rest

Maternity Leave

Entitlement to Maternity Leave A pregnant employee is entitled to leave, (maternity leave), from her employment for a period (the minimum period of maternity leave) of not less than 26 consecutive weeks. Part may be postponed.… Read the rest

Maternity Issues

Maternity Discrimination Pregnancy may raise issues of equality and discrimination in employment. Discrimination on the grounds of sex or gender is unlawful. Discrimination specifically includes less favourable treatment of a woman on account of pregnancy or maternity leave. … Read the rest

Carers’ Leave

Overview of Carer’s Leave Carers leave is governed by the Carer’s Leave Act 2001 as amended in 2006. Carers leave may be available to an employee with over 12 months’ service. Up to 104 weeks’ carers leave may be taken to look after an ill or incapacitated person, while preserving a right to return to work.… Read the rest

Adoptive Leave

Overview I Adoptive leave is broadly similar to maternity leave. The legislation applies to domestic adoptions and adoptions from abroad. The principal entitlement is to take leave of a minimum of 24 weeks from the date the placement for adoption. … Read the rest