We wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware that from 1^st August the duration of Parent’s Leave of which you may seek to avail has been extended from seven to nine weeks.

 

The usual conditions apply and some of these are set out below:

• Parent’s Leave must be taken by a ‘relevant parent’ within two years of the birth / adoptive placement of your child.
• The limit of nine weeks continues to apply in circumstances of multiple births / adoptions at the same time.
• Parent’s Leave is not covered by salary (and is not reckonable for superannuation) but you can apply for Parent’s Leave benefit from the Department of Social Protection for the duration.
• Parent’s Leave can be taken in one nine week period (after 1^st August) or across separate periods of not less than one week.
• Employees on fixed term or specified purpose contracts are entitled to seek Parent’s Leave within their current contract.
• Either party can seek to postpone Parent’s Leave. If Parent’s Leave is postponed by the employer on the basis that its granting will have a substantial adverse effect on the service, the employee must be notified of such a postponement at least four weeks before the leave is due to start and there is requirement to engage with the employee to agree a new start date for Parent’s Leave no later than twelve weeks from the start date requested. 

 

If you have any queries in this regard, please get in touch with the IMO on (01) 6767273 or via email at consultants@imo.ie