Parental Leave – Update

Cosgrove Gaynard Solicitors

The Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended by 2006 (Amendment) Act, provides that parents in Ireland can take parental leave from employment in relation to certain children.

Parental Leave – update

The Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended by 2006 (Amendment) Act, provides that parents in Ireland can take parental leave from employment in relation to certain children.

On the 8th March 2013 the European Union (Parental Leave) Regulations 2013 increased parental leave 18 weeks from 14 weeks.

The regulations also provide that a parent can, on returning to work from parental leave, request a change in his / her working hours.  It should be noted that employers are not required to grant this request, they must however consider it.

The regulations apply to children under 8 or if a child has a disability or long term illness, under 16.

Importantly it provides that both parents have an equal and separate right to parental leave.

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