Four types of leave, four different things
Irish law provides four distinct types of leave for parents. They are separate entitlements, each with its own duration, pay rules, and eligibility conditions. They can be taken at different times and in some cases overlapped or combined.
Maternity Leave, for the birth mother. 26 weeks paid, 16 weeks optional unpaid.
Paternity Leave, for the other parent at birth. 2 weeks paid.
Parent's Leave, for either parent. 9 weeks paid per parent, to be taken in the first 2 years of the child's life.
Parental Leave, for either parent. Up to 26 weeks unpaid per parent, per child, to be taken before the child turns 12.
The confusion is understandable, the names are similar and the rules interact. The table below puts all four side by side.
All four leave types at a glance
| Leave type | Duration | Weekly pay (2026) | Who can take it | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity Leave | 26 weeks + 16 weeks optional unpaid | €299/week (Maternity Benefit from DSP) | Birth mother only | From birth (minimum 2 weeks before due date) |
| Paternity Leave | 2 weeks | €299/week (Paternity Benefit from DSP) | Other parent / partner of birth mother | Within 6 months of birth or adoption |
| Parent's Leave | 9 weeks per parent | €299/week (Parent's Benefit from DSP) | Either parent (both can take it) | Within the first 2 years of the child's life |
| Parental Leave | Up to 26 weeks per parent, per child | Unpaid, €0 | Either parent (both can take it) | Before the child turns 12 (18 if disabled) |
DSP benefit rate 2026: €299 per week
Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, and Parent's Benefit are all paid by the Department of Social Protection at the same flat weekly rate of €299 for 2026. The rate is reviewed annually, subscribe below and we'll email you when it changes. Your employer is not legally required to top this up, though some do.
Maternity Leave
Who: The birth mother. Maternity leave is a right for the mother, it cannot be transferred to the other parent (unlike Parent's Leave).
Duration: 26 weeks of paid leave, followed by up to 16 weeks of additional unpaid leave. You must take at least 2 of the paid weeks before your due date.
Pay: The state pays Maternity Benefit from the DSP at €299 per week (2026 rate) for the 26 paid weeks. Your employer is not legally required to top this up. some do, many don't. Check your employment contract.
PRSI requirement: You must have a minimum number of PRSI contributions paid and credited to qualify. Broadly: 39 weeks paid in the last 12 months before the first day of your maternity leave, or 39 weeks paid since first starting work with at least 39 weeks paid in the second last contribution year. Check citizensinformation.ie for the full qualifying conditions.
How to apply: Apply for Maternity Benefit directly to the DSP, online at mywelfare.ie, or by post. Apply at least 6 weeks before your maternity leave starts (12 weeks if self-employed). Your employer must also be notified.
Notice to employer: You must notify your employer in writing at least 4 weeks before maternity leave starts. You are also entitled to time off for antenatal appointments without loss of pay.
Your job: You have the right to return to the same job (or a comparable one) at the end of maternity leave. Your employer cannot dismiss you for taking maternity leave or for reasons connected with pregnancy.
Paternity Leave
Who: The other parent, typically the father or same-sex partner, at birth or adoption. Paternity leave is for the partner of the birth mother, not the birth mother herself.
Duration: 2 weeks.
Pay: Paternity Benefit from the DSP at €299 per week (2026 rate) for the 2 weeks.
PRSI requirement: Same broad conditions as Maternity Benefit, must meet the minimum PRSI contribution threshold.
When to take it: Within 6 months of the birth or placement of the child. The 2 weeks can be taken consecutively or in two separate blocks.
How to apply: Apply online at mywelfare.ie. Notify your employer in writing at least 4 weeks before you intend to take the leave.
Your job: Same return-to-work rights as maternity leave, your position must be held for you.
Parent's Leave
Who: Either parent, both the mother and the other parent are entitled to their own 9 weeks each. One parent taking it does not reduce the other parent's entitlement.
Duration: 9 weeks per parent (this was extended from 7 weeks in August 2024). Each parent has their own 9 weeks, it is not shared.
Pay: Parent's Benefit from the DSP at €299 per week (2026 rate) for each week of parent's leave taken.
PRSI requirement: Same broad conditions apply.
When to take it: Any time in the first 2 years of the child's life (or within 2 years of an adoption placement). It can be taken in one block, two separate blocks, or, with employer agreement, as separate days.
How to apply: Apply to the DSP via mywelfare.ie. Notify your employer at least 6 weeks before the leave starts.
Your job: The same return-to-work protection applies.
Parent's Leave is the newest of the four entitlements and the one most people don't know about. If you had a child in the last two years and haven't taken your Parent's Leave, you may still be entitled to it.
Parental Leave
Who: Either parent. Both parents are entitled to their own 26 weeks each per child. It is not shared between parents.
Duration: Up to 26 weeks per parent, per child.
Pay: None. Parental Leave is unpaid. The state does not pay a benefit for this leave, unlike the other three types above.
When to take it: Before the child turns 12 (before 18 if the child has a disability or long-term illness).
How to take it: With at least 6 weeks' written notice to your employer. Your employer can postpone the leave by up to 6 months if the business would be seriously disrupted, but they cannot refuse it outright.
Flexibility: Parental Leave can be taken as a block, in separate weeks, or with employer agreement as individual days. This makes it more flexible than the other types.
Your job: Return-to-work rights apply. Your position must be held, or a comparable role must be offered.
Because it's unpaid, many parents don't take their full 26 weeks, or take a shorter block to manage the income gap. If you have a young child and have never taken parental leave, check whether you're still within the age window to use the entitlement.
What if your employer refuses leave?
Refusing statutory maternity, paternity, parent's, or parental leave is illegal. These are statutory rights, your employment contract cannot take them away.
If your employer refuses:
- First: put your request in writing and request a written response. A refusal on record is easier to act on than a verbal one.
- Contact the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the WRC handles complaints about statutory leave rights. You can submit a complaint online at workplacerelations.ie.
- Citizens Information (citizensinformation.ie or 0818 07 4000) can walk you through your options before you escalate.
An employer who dismisses you or penalises you for taking statutory leave has committed an unfair dismissal. The WRC can award compensation.
Pension and employment rights during leave
Your pension: During paid leave (maternity, paternity, parent's leave), your pensionable service continues. During unpaid periods, it depends on your scheme rules. some schemes allow voluntary contributions during unpaid leave to protect your record. Check with your pension provider.
Annual leave: Your annual leave entitlement continues to accrue during maternity leave. For other types of leave, accrual depends on the type and duration, check with your employer or citizensinformation.ie.
Your right to return: At the end of any statutory leave period, you are entitled to return to your same job on the same or better terms and conditions. If your exact role no longer exists (e.g. a restructure happened while you were away), your employer must offer a suitable alternative.
Redundancy during leave: You cannot be made redundant as a reason connected to your leave. If a genuine redundancy situation arose while you were on leave, the process must be handled exactly as it would be for any other employee, you cannot be selected for redundancy because of your leave.
I'll email you if parental leave entitlements or DSP benefit rates change — they've been extended or increased twice in the last four years.
Common questions about parental leave in Ireland
What is the difference between parental leave and parent's leave in Ireland?▾
They are two separate entitlements. Parent's Leave is 9 weeks per parent, paid by the DSP at the flat weekly benefit rate, to be taken in the first 2 years of the child's life. Parental Leave is up to 26 weeks per parent, completely unpaid, to be taken before the child turns 12. Most people searching for "parental leave" are actually looking for information about one or both of these.
How much is maternity leave pay in Ireland?▾
Maternity Benefit is paid by the DSP at €299 per week (2026 rate) for 26 weeks. The rate is reviewed annually, subscribe at parce.ie/parental-leave to be notified when it changes. Your employer is not legally required to top up the state benefit, though some do. Maternity Benefit is the same flat weekly rate as Paternity Benefit and Parent's Benefit.
How many weeks parent's leave are parents entitled to in Ireland?▾
9 weeks each. Both parents have their own entitlement, one parent taking it does not reduce the other's. Parent's Benefit from the DSP is paid at €299 per week (2026 rate) for each week taken. The leave must be taken within the first 2 years of the child's life.
Can both parents take maternity leave in Ireland?▾
No. Maternity Leave is only for the birth mother. The other parent takes Paternity Leave (2 weeks, paid). Both parents can take Parent's Leave (9 weeks each, paid) and Parental Leave (up to 26 weeks each, unpaid) independently.
Is parental leave paid in Ireland?▾
Parental Leave (up to 26 weeks, before age 12) is unpaid, the state pays no benefit for it. Parent's Leave (9 weeks in the first 2 years) is paid by the DSP at the same flat weekly rate as Maternity Benefit. Maternity Leave (26 weeks) and Paternity Leave (2 weeks) are also paid by the DSP.
What happens to my job while I am on parental leave in Ireland?▾
Your job is protected. You are entitled to return to the same role on the same terms at the end of any statutory leave period. Your employer cannot dismiss you or penalise you for taking statutory leave. If your exact role no longer exists due to a genuine restructure, they must offer a suitable alternative. Disputes can be taken to the Workplace Relations Commission.