Minister Humphreys and Minister O’Gorman announce the extension of paid Parent’s Leave and Benefit to 9 weeks
- Published on: 1 August 2024
- Last updated on: 26 August 2024
- From 1 August, each parent can avail of 9 weeks leave and benefit
- Over 78,000 Parent’s Benefit claims awarded in 2023
- Easiest and quickest way to apply for Parent’s Benefit is via MyWelfare.ie
Ministers Heather Humphreys and Roderic O’Gorman have today announced from 1 August, parents will be able to avail of 9 weeks paid Parent’s Leave and Benefit.
The measure means that under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit schemes, the number of weeks that parents can take time off work, with financial support from the State, increases from 7 weeks to 9 weeks.
The support applies to both parents and is part of the Government’s ambition to ensure that parents can enjoy meaningful quality time with their new-born in the knowledge they will be financially supported.
Parent’s Leave and Benefit is available to eligible parents with a child under 2 years of age or who have adopted a child within the last 2 years.
In 2023, almost 78,200 Parent’s Benefit claims were awarded– compared to just 16,700 in 2020.
Over 38,800 Parent’s Benefit claims have been awarded in the first half of this year.
Commenting today, Minister Humphreys said:
“We have expanded the Parent’s Leave and Benefit schemes over several Budgets, since 2019 when two weeks leave and benefit were originally introduced.
“I am delighted that we are, again, increasing the number of weeks of paid parent’s leave each parent can take, this time from 7 to 9 weeks from 1st August.
“This is a measure which thousands of families with young children across the country will benefit from.
“The significant raise in take-up demonstrates just how important and popular it is with parents.
“Time spent with a new-born child in the early months of their life is so important and the expansion of these schemes will facilitate parents in spending more time with their children during this important phase of their child’s life.”
Minister O’Gorman commented:
“It is so important that parents are supported to spend time with their children during those precious first few years. I'm delighted that from August, parents with a child under 2 years of age or who have adopted a child within the last 2 years will each be entitled to an extra two weeks of paid parent's leave.
"Since 2020, the Government has more than quadrupled paid parent's leave, from two weeks up to nine weeks. Alongside record investment in early learning and childcare, we will continue to work at supporting parents and ensuring that children get the best start in life."
Note to Editors:
Parent’s Benefit is available to employed and self-employed parents with the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions. It is available to parents within 2 years of their child’s birth or adoption.
Parent’s Benefit is paid at a rate of €274 a week. This is the same rate as Maternity, Paternity and Adoptive benefit.
From August 1st, 9 weeks' payment will be available for each parent, representing a payment of €2,466 per parent.
The Parent’s Benefit scheme is family-friendly and flexible, facilitating parents to avail of the benefit in a block of 9 consecutive weeks or in separate weekly blocks over a longer period.
Parents can submit up to 9 separate applications for leave during their child’s first two years of life. The figures included represent the number of claims awarded for the period advised and a parent may have more than one claim during the period depending on the manner in which they used their parent’s leave.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for Parent’s Benefit is online via MyWelfare.ie