We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on a significant change to the parental leave policy in the public health service. Previously, the maximum age of a child in respect of whom employees of the public health service could take parental leave was thirteen years, this has now been increased to sixteen years in all cases.

You can access the relevant HSE HR Circular here. 

Parental leave is defined as twenty six weeks of unpaid leave that enables employees to take care of their child. Generally, parental leave can be taken, with employer approval and after one year’s service, as either

1. One continuous period of twenty six weeks leave
2. Two separate periods of leave, each consisting of a period of not less than six weeks and not amounting to more than twenty six weeks in total.
3. A number of periods broken down by days / hours / both with employer agreement.

 

If you have any queries in this regard please contact the IMO at consultants@imo.ie