Paternity Leave

Paid paternity leave is two consecutive weeks.

• Paternity leave may be taken by the following:
• Father of the child
• Spouse/civil partner/cohabitant of the birth mother/adopting parent of the child
• Spouse/civil partner/cohabitant of the sole male adopter of the child
• Parent of the child, under Section 5 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, where the child is a donor-conceived child
• The nominated parent in the case of a married same-sex couple (in the case of an adopted child)

Paid paternity leave is two consecutive weeks.

You can start your paternity leave any time after the date of birth, or date of placement, of your child.

You must take your paid paternity leave within the first six months following your child’s birth or placement.

You are required to give four weeks’ written notice when you’re applying for your paid paternity leave, and to submit the application form here (PDF) at Appendix A of the paternity leave chapter, no later than seven days after the commencement of the leave.

You will give written notification to your school of your intention to take your leave with four weeks’ notice from the proposed commencement of the leave.

This notification should be accompanied by a medical certificate confirming the expected birth date, or a copy of the birth certificate if notification is given after the baby is born.

In the case of adoption, the written notification will be accompanied by either the declaration/official placement order, or placement certificate if you’re giving notification after the child has been placed with you, or in the case of a foreign adoption, a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability from the Adoption Authority of Ireland

After your baby is born, or placed with you, and no later than seven days after your leave commences, you will submit the application form here (PDF) at Appendix A from Chapter 4, circular 54/2019.

You must also apply to the DSP for paternity benefit, details here. If you have a verified MyGovID, you can  apply for your paternity benefit online through MyWelfare, uploading a PB2 form as supporting evidence. Alternatively, you may request a postal application for your Paternity Benefit from the DSP.

The application procedure for paternity leave is set out in detail at part 3 of Chapter 4, circular 54/2019.

If your baby is born or placed with you after the date you selected to start your paternity leave, you are entitled to select a new date to start your paternity leave.

If your baby is born, or placed with you, more than four weeks before the expected date of birth, you can commence your leave immediately, and will be considered to have complied with the required notice period.

The application procedure for paternity leave is set out in more detail at part 3 of Chapter 4, circular 54/2019 (PDF).

If you pay Class A PRSI, you will apply for Paternity Benefit from the DSP, details here. This is €274 per week (as of January 2024).

Paternity Benefit will be paid to you personally, and Primary Payroll will deduct the value of it from your salary. (You will be paid in full during your paternity leave, but split between Primary Payroll and the DSP.)

If you pay Class A PRSI but you’re not eligible for Paternity Benefit, notify Primary Payroll with evidence of the refusal, and they will adjust the deduction accordingly.
If you pay Class D PRSI, no deduction will be applied to your wages while you’re on paternity leave.

Yes, you are entitled to take your paternity leave, subject to the same conditions as any other teacher, while within your contract.

Yes, you are entitled to take your paternity leave, subject to the same conditions as any other teacher, while within your contract.

However, as you are paid through the OLCS, you will need to submit a Substitute for a Substitute form (PDF) to claim your salary for the duration of your absence.

There is no specific leave for this purpose, but you may take up to five days of paid family illness leave in the school year, which can include accompanying someone to hospital appointments.

Yes, an expectant father is entitled to paid leave to attend the final two antenatal classes in a set of classes, immediately prior to the birth. Two weeks’ notice should be given to your school, and you should submit evidence to support the absences.

You may take up to five days of paid family illness leave in each school year.

If your partner was more than 24 weeks pregnant, or if your baby had a birth weight of at least 500 grammes, or if your baby was born alive, you will be entitled to your paid paternity leave.

Following a miscarriage earlier than 24 weeks in pregnancy, you have five days of family illness leave available in a school year, or you may consider taking sick leave.

No.

Full-time workers have a minimum statutory entitlement to twenty days of annual leave and ten public holidays.

If a public holiday falls during a period of statutory leave, it should be addressed through additional annual leave in lieu.

However, teachers who miss a public holiday while on paternity leave will get sufficient paid leave through scheduled school closures, to address this statutory entitlement.

You can avoid scheduling your paternity leave during a public holiday or school closure.

This is a summary of your leave entitlements:

Parent’s Leave

• Seven weeks available
• Must be used before your baby turns two, or within two years’ of their placement with you
• Unpaid by the DE, but Parent’s Benefit may be claimed
• Must be taken in full weeks, but not necessarily consecutively

Apply to school with form here (PDF), giving at least four weeks’ notice, and apply for Parent’s Benefit, details here.

Parental Leave

• Twenty-six weeks per child
• Available until child turns thirteen, or sixteen if the child has a disability or long-term illness
• Unpaid leave
• Must be taken in full weeks, but not necessarily consecutively
•  Exceptional pattern may be approved if child has recurring medical or clinical appointments
• Apply to school with form here (PDF), giving at least six weeks’ notice

Unpaid Leave

• Up to ten single days per school year, subject to approval of employer
• Apply to school with form here (PDF), giving at least six weeks’ notice

No, you may end the school year on paternity leave (or parental leave, parent’s leave, unpaid leave, or an EPV day) without any jeopardy to your summer salary.

As soon as your leave finishes, you will return to normal salary whether the school is open or closed.

Chapter 4 of circular 54/2019 (PDF), and the INTO help and advice page, here.