Cosgrove Gaynard Solicitors

Parental Leave – update

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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.

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

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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.

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

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