Parents in Ireland may be entitled to a recently extended social welfare payment of €250 per week.
Parent's Leave gives each parent seven weeks of leave, which can be taken during the first two years of their child’s life or if you adopted, within the first two years the child was placed with your family. However, the leave period remains the same in the case of multiple births, for example if you have twins or if you adopt two or more children at the same time.
The leave can be taken in one chunk of seven weeks or separate periods no less than one week at a time. The payment is separate from Parental Leave and Paternity Leave.
Read more: Social welfare Ireland: One payment set for €20.50 increase next week
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys announced the following major changes to the payment in July 2022, including the extension of the benefit from five weeks to seven weeks:
- Parent’s leave increased from 5 weeks to 7 weeks for children born or adopted after 1 July 2022
- You can claim the additional 2 weeks' parent’s leave if your child is under the age of 2 on 1 July 2022 or your adopted child has been placed with your family less than 2 years on 1 July 2022
- You must complete the extra leave on or before your child’s second birthday or within 2 years of the adoption placement
- Parent’s Benefit increased from 5 weeks to 7 weeks for each parent (if you qualify)
Here are the criteria you must meet to qualify for Parent's Leave:
- Be a relevant parent.
- 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 find out more information about Parent's Leave here.
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