Parent’s Benefit
Parent’s Benefit is paid to eligible parents during the period of parent’s leave. Parent’s leave, which is different to parental leave, entitles each parent to 7 weeks leave during the first 2 years of a child’s life.
Parent’s Benefit may be paid for the period of parent’s leave where people have enough Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. Parent’s Benefit is payable to both parents where they meet the criteria.
In 2022, Parent’s Benefit is €250 per week. From January 2023, the amount payable will be €262 per week.
The legislation governing parent’s leave is the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, as amended.
To be eligible to take parent’s leave you must:
- Be a relevant parent [see Relevant Parent section below]
- Take the leave within 104 weeks (2 years) of the birth of the child or in the case of adoption, from the date the child is placed with you (the placement date)
- Give at least 6 weeks’ notice to your employer
You can take this leave as one continuous period of 7 weeks, or in separate periods of not less than one week until the 7 weeks are used.
The legislation provides for the minimum entitlement to parent’s leave. Your contract of employment may provide for further benefits.
Relevant Parents
A relevant parent is one of the following:
- A parent of the child
- A spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the parent of the child
- A parent of a donor-conceived child as provided for under section 5 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015
- The adopting parent or parents of a child
- The spouse, civil partner or spouse of the adopting parent of the child (if the parents have not adopted jointly)