All pregnant employees can take maternity leave for at least 26 weeks. Tell your employer as soon as possible that you are planning to take maternity leave.

Do this by letting them know in writing at least 4 weeks before the start of your maternity leave.

Start your maternity leave at least 2 weeks before your estimated due date. You should take at least 4 weeks maternity leave after the birth of your baby.

Maternity benefit
You may be entitled to maternity benefit, depending on your pay-related social insurance contributions (PRSI).

Apply for maternity benefit – MyWelfare.ie

Maternity benefit information – gov.ie

Unpaid maternity leave
You can take up to 16 weeks of extra maternity leave. This begins immediately after the end of your 26 weeks of maternity leave.

This period is not covered by maternity benefit. Your employer does not have to make any payment during this period.

 

Stillbirths and miscarriages
You are entitled to full maternity leave if either of the following happens:

You have a stillbirth or miscarriage after 24 weeks
Your baby has a birth weight of at least 500 grams
If you have enough PRSI contributions, you can get Maternity Benefit for the 26 weeks basic maternity leave.

To apply for Maternity Leave and Maternity Benefit following a stillbirth or miscarriage, you’ll need to send a letter from your doctor with the Maternity Benefit application form (MB1).

The letter must state the expected date of birth, the actual date of birth and the number of weeks of pregnancy.

Adoptive leave
If you adopt a child you can take 24 weeks paid adoptive leave. You are also entitled to take 16 weeks additional unpaid adoptive leave.

You can also take paid time off work to attend preparation classes and pre-adoption meetings with social workers during the pre-adoption process.

 

Paternity leave
Relevant parents can take paternity leave.

These are:

The father of the child
The partner (spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) of the mother of the child
The parent of a donor-conceived child
You can start paternity leave at any time within the first 6 months.