Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1995. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department is considering aligning the parental leave age limit of 12 years in the private sector as laid out in the parental leave acts with that of the public sector, where the limit is 16 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1648/26]
View answerThere have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years. The Government is committed to supporting workers, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their child during their earliest years.
Under the Parental Leave (mendment) Act 2019, an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks’ unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting 'in loco parentis’.
It should be noted that the legislation only sets out the minimum entitlement to parental leave. Depending on an individual’s contract of employment, they may have more extensive rights to parental leave, as employers have the option to offer more than the entitlement set out in the legislation.
Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave. Where both parents work for the same employer and the employer agrees, one parent can transfer 14 weeks of their parental leave entitlement to the other parent.
The Programme for Government 'Securing Ireland's Future' sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. The new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was launched 18 November 2025 and the first Action Plan to oversee the monitoring and implementation of this Strategy is currently in development and due to be launched early 2026. Any changes to supports available to working families will be considered within this context.
