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Going back to work: Your rights to leave and other entitlements

People in different stages of pregnancy and childcare are entitled to a range of different benefits.

Maternity benefit and adoptive benefit

Who gets it?

• Maternity benefit is a payment to employed and self-employed pregnant women.
• You are entitled to 26 weeks maternity benefit.
• You must satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.
• Adoptive benefit is a payment to an adopting mother, or to a single adoptive father from the date your child is placed with you.
• It is available to both employed and self-employed people.
• You are entitled to 20 weeks of adoptive benefit.
• You must satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.

Who do I contact to find out more?

• Your employer.
• Your local Social Welfare Office.
• Your local Citizen’s Information Centre.
• The Social Welfare Office Maternity benefit section.
• Lo-Call: 1890 690 690 Lo-Call leaflet request line: 1890 20 23 25.

Maternity leave and adoptive leave

Who gets it?

• You are entitled to take maternity leave for a basic period of 26 weeks.
• You must tell your employer in writing at least 4 weeks before you start your leave.
• You are also entitled to a further 16 weeks unpaid leave after the end of your maternity leave.
• You are entitled to time off without loss of pay for antenatal and postnatal medical visits. You must inform your employer 2 weeks in advance.
• You are entitled to 24 weeks' adoptive leave if you are an adoptive mother.
• This adoptive leave is also due to a single adoptive father in paid employment.
• You must inform your employer in writing 4 weeks before you start your leave.
• You are also entitled to a further 16 weeks unpaid leave after the end of your adoptive leave.

Who do I contact to find out more?

• Your employer.
• Your local Citizen’s Information Centre.
• The Equality Authority Lo-Call: 1890 245 245.

Paternity leave for fathers

Who gets it?

• At present, paternity leave is not recognised in employment law in Ireland. It is at the discretion of your employer policy.

Who do I contact to find out more?

• Your employer.
• The Equality Authority Lo-Call: 1890 24 55 45.

Parental leave for mothers and fathers

How long is it for?

• 14 weeks per child.

What is it?

• Parental leave is available to employees who have, or expect to have, parental responsibility for a child.
• It can be used by for parents to look after a child or make arrangements for the child's welfare.
• This unpaid leave is for each parent. It must be taken before your child is eight years old.
• The upper age limit can be extended in circumstances where an adopted child is involved.
• In the case of a child with a disability, leave may be taken up to 16 years of age.
• In addition, an extension may also be allowed where illness or any other incapacity prevented the employee taking the leave within the normal period.
• This leave can be taken in one block or divided in sections, with agreement from your employer.

Who do I contact to find out more?

• Your employer.
• Your local Citizens Information Centre.
• The Equality Authority Lo-Call: 1890 24 55 45.

Child benefit

Who gets it?

• Children up to 16 years of age.
• Children up to 19 years of age who are in full time education or on FAS youth reach course.
• Children who are physically or intellectually disabled and dependent on you.

When to apply?

Within 6 months of:

• Your baby’s birth.
• A child becoming a member of your family.
• Your family coming to live in Ireland.
• Your local Post Office.

Who do I contact to find out more?

• Your local Citizens Information Centre.
• Your local Social Welfare Office.
• Social Welfare Services Child benefit section. Lo-Call: 1890 400 400.

One-parent family benefit

Who gets it?

One-parent family benefit may be available to a mother or father of a new baby if you are:

• Unmarried.
• Widowed.
• A prisoner’s spouse.
• Separated.
• Divorced.
• Your marriage is annulled.
• You must not be living with a partner.
• You must live with your child.
• You must satisfy a means test.

If you are separated or divorced, you must:

• Have been separated for at least three months.
• Have made efforts to get maintenance from your spouse.
• Be inadequately maintained by your spouse.

If you are unmarried you will need to be the parent of a qualified child. You will be required to seek maintenance from the other parent of your child.

Who do I contact to find out more?

• Your local social welfare office.
• Your local citizens information centre.
• One parent family section.
• Lo-Call: 1890 50 00 00.

Other benefits you may qualify for

Who gets it?

You may also qualify for some of the following:

• Back to work allowance.
• Back to education allowance.
• Disability payment.
• Domiciliary care allowance – from birth or date of applying up to 16 years. Subject to all eligibility criteria being met.
• Exceptional needs payment.
• Family income supplement.
• Medical card.
• Mortgage interest supplement.
• Rent supplement.
• Supplementary welfare allowance.
• Supplement for special diet.
• Unemployment payment.

Who do I contact to find out more?

• Your local community welfare officer.
• Your local Citizens Information Centre.
• Your local Social Welfare office.
• Your local community service area in the HSE.

Please note: The advice given above is currently correct, but could be subject to change. For the most up-to-date advice check the Health Service Executive website.