On the 22/05/19 Uachtaran na hEireann considered the Parental Leave Amendment Bill 2017, signed the Bill and it has accordingly become law. It is envisaged that the Minister will sign commencement orders by mid July to facilitate this becoming operational on 1/09/19

What changes will this Bill bring?

• An increase in the child qualifying age from 8yrs to 12yrs.

• An increase in the amount of unpaid leave from 18 weeks to 26 weeks. This will be introduced in two phases – an extra four weeks from 1/09/19 and an additional four weeks will kick in from 1/09/20.

• The extra leave and improvements in the child qualifying age applies to all parents irrespective of leave previously taken.