Frequently asked questions
In what circumstances can I take Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes?
How much of this leave is available?
You should keep track of how many of these days you have used, and when you used them, but your school can also confirm this from the OLCS.
Who can I take this leave to care for?
- Child (including adopted child, stepchild, and child being cared for on the basis of ‘in loco parentis’)
- Spouse or civil partner
- Cohabitant (a partner who you live with)
- Parent or grandparent
- Brother or sister
- Housemate (Person who resides in the same house as you, other than those listed above)
What is the application process to take this leave?
On the application form, you will state for whom you are providing care, and briefly outline why you are entitled to the leave (i.e. noting the significant care and support you are providing).
Your employer must be satisfied that you are providing significant care or support for a serious medical reason and may request a medical certificate confirming this. If a medical certificate is requested, it does not need to state the specific nature of the person’s illness.
Your employer will confirm in writing whether your application for Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes has been approved or refused, and if the leave is being refused, your employer must state the grounds for the refusal.
Why can my employer refuse my leave application, and can I appeal this decision?
If you believe you have been wrongly refused access to Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes, you will have recourse through the agreed grievance procedures, in the first instance, or the Workplace Relations Commission.
If I’m already on another kind of leave and a medical emergency arises within my family, can I change to Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes?
Does this leave have substitute cover?
How is this leave recorded on the OLCS?
However, at the time of publication of circular 50/2023, this leave category on the OCLS was still pending.
The DE advise that the following interim arrangement should be used by schools to record Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes:
(i) Email teachersna@education.gov.ie
(ii) The subject line of the email should read “Unpaid Leave for Medical Care: Interim Arrangement”
(iii) In such cases, the employer must provide the following details to the Department, so that the leave can be recorded:
- Teacher’s Name
- Teacher’s PPS Number
- Roll No. of school where teacher currently employed
- The start and end date of the absence
Do I still have access to paid Force Majeure or Illness in Family Leave?
If I must leave work during the school day due to a family medical emergency, how will this be recorded?
If you must leave during the school day due to a family medical emergency, this may be recorded as Family Illness Leave or Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes.
Will taking Unpaid Leave for Medical Care affect my pension or increment?
You will not make pension contributions during a period of Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes.
Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes is an approved leave of absence and does not constitute a break in your service.
What other leave is available if I need to provide care over a longer period?
If you need to provide full-time care for several weeks or months, Carer’s Leave may be an appropriate option.
If the person for whom you are caring is your child, Parental Leave may be an option.
You may consider applying for a Career Break or to Job Share to provide care.
The INTO Leave Estimator has additional FAQs for all these leave types of leave.