Parent's Leave and Benefit Ireland 2026 — 9 Weeks at €299/Week Per Parent

Parent's Leave and Benefit in Ireland

Each parent gets 9 weeks of Parent's Leave in the first 2 years of a child's life, with Parent's Benefit of €299/week for those who qualify on PRSI. Both parents can claim their own 9 weeks independently. Here is who qualifies, how it works, and how to apply.

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Parent's Leave and Benefit — At a glance

Weekly rate
€299 per week
Duration per parent
9 weeks (non-transferable)
Time window
Within first 2 years of birth/adoption
Both parents
Can take simultaneously — each gets €299/week independently

Key facts — Parent's Leave and Benefit 2026

Weekly benefit rate €299 per week
Duration 9 weeks per parent
Transferable? No — each parent's own
Time limit Within first 2 years Of birth or adoption placement
Can be split? Yes — minimum 1 week
PRSI required? Yes (for Benefit payment)

How Parent's Leave compares to other parental payments

Leave typeWho takes itDurationWeekly payTiming
Maternity LeaveBirth mother26 weeks€299/weekBefore/after birth
Paternity LeaveOther parent2 weeks€299/weekFirst 6 months
Parent's LeaveBoth parents (9 weeks each)9 weeks × 2€299/week eachFirst 2 years

Parent's Leave is additional — it does not replace Maternity or Paternity Leave. A birth mother can take 26 weeks Maternity Leave, then claim her own 9 weeks of Parent's Leave separately (within 2 years of birth).

Who qualifies for Parent's Benefit?

  • You are the birth parent, adoptive parent or civil partner of a parent who has taken Parent's Leave
  • Your employer has approved your Parent's Leave
  • You have 39 weeks of PRSI in the 12 months before leave begins, OR 39 weeks in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks in the previous tax year
  • PRSI Classes A, E, H and S (self-employed) qualify
  • The leave is taken within 2 years of the child's birth or adoption placement

Can both parents take leave at the same time?

Yes. Both parents can take their 9-week Parent's Leave simultaneously — there is no restriction on overlapping. For example, both parents could take their 9 weeks during the same 9-week period, with each receiving €299/week from Parent's Benefit, giving the household €598/week from both payments combined.

Splitting Parent's Leave

Parent's Leave does not have to be taken in one block. You can take it in separate weeks across the 2-year window, giving your employer at least 6 weeks' notice for each period. The minimum unit is 1 full week — you cannot take single days.

How to apply for Parent's Benefit

  1. Notify your employer

    Give your employer written notice at least 6 weeks before you intend to take Parent's Leave. Confirm the dates and that you are applying for Parent's Benefit. Your employer cannot refuse the leave — it is a statutory right.

  2. Apply for Parent's Benefit online or by post

    Apply online at MyWelfare.ie (fastest) or complete the PB1 form. Apply at least 4 weeks before your leave starts. Your employer will need to confirm the leave dates.

  3. Receive payment

    Parent's Benefit is paid directly to your bank account weekly. Payment starts from the first week of your leave.

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Even if you do not qualify for Parent's Benefit (the payment), you still have the right to take Parent's Leave (unpaid from a welfare perspective). Check your employment contract — some employers pay top-up during this leave.

Frequently asked questions

What is Parent's Leave?

A statutory leave of 9 weeks per parent within the first 2 years of a child's birth or adoption. Each parent has their own 9-week entitlement — it is not transferable.

How much is Parent's Benefit in 2026?

€299 per week for up to 9 weeks per parent — the same weekly rate as Maternity and Paternity Benefit.

Who qualifies?

Parents with at least 39 weeks of PRSI in the 12 months before their leave, taking the leave within 2 years of the child's birth or adoption. Both employees and self-employed (Class S) qualify.

Can both parents take it at the same time?

Yes — both parents can take their 9-week leave simultaneously. Each receives €299/week independently.

Can I split it into separate weeks?

Yes. You can take Parent's Leave in separate weeks across the 2-year window, with at least 6 weeks' notice to your employer per block. Minimum unit is 1 week.

What is the difference between Paternity Leave and Parent's Leave?

Paternity Leave: 2 weeks, for the non-birth parent, taken shortly after the birth. Parent's Leave: 9 weeks per parent, for either parent, taken any time in the first 2 years. Both pay €299/week.

How do I apply?

Apply online at MyWelfare.ie or use the PB1 form. Apply at least 4 weeks before leave starts. Notify your employer in writing at least 6 weeks in advance.

Common misunderstandings about Parent's Leave and Benefit
  • Parent's Leave is separate from Maternity and Paternity Leave — a birth mother gets 26 weeks Maternity Leave AND can then take 9 more weeks of Parent's Leave
  • The 9 weeks are not transferable between parents — each parent has their own independent entitlement
  • Both parents can take it simultaneously — there is no requirement to stagger it
  • The leave right exists even without PRSI — but without 39 weeks of PRSI contributions, the €299/week payment will not be made (it will be unpaid leave from a welfare perspective)

Official sources

Related guides

Maternity Benefit Ireland €299/week for 26 weeks — for birth mothers before Parent's Leave Paternity Benefit Ireland €299/week for 2 weeks — taken before Parent's Leave Adoptive Benefit Ireland €299/week for 24 weeks — adoption equivalent of Maternity Benefit Social Welfare Rates 2026 All current payment rates at a glance

This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 Parent's Leave and Benefit rates and PRSI conditions.

Reviewed by

Vitor Alves

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting

Tax adviser and accountant helping immigrants and businesses in Ireland.

Last reviewed: June 22, 2026 · About this site