Paternity Leave
Short, protected leave for the relevant parent around the birth or adoption of a child.
Paternity leave is a period of leave for the father or the partner of the mother or adopting parent, taken around the time of a birth or adoption. In Ireland the statutory entitlement is two weeks, supported by State Paternity Benefit where PRSI conditions are met.
It must generally be taken as a continuous block within a set window after the birth or placement, with advance notice to the employer. Whether the employer supplements the State benefit is determined by contract or policy.
Paternity leave sits alongside Parent's Leave and Parental Leave, and the three are easily confused, so employee handbooks should set out each entitlement separately with the current durations.








































