Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan yesterday signed the commencement order for the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019, which was originally introduced as a private member’s bill by TDs Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy.

Under Government amendments to their bill, the period of unpaid parental leave will be extended from the current entitlement of 18 weeks to 22 weeks from 1 September 2019, and then further extended to 26 weeks from 1 September 2020.

The law also increases the age of the child for which parental leave is available from 8 to 12 years.

Mr Flanagan said: “Both mothers and fathers may apply for this leave which I anticipate may be of particular benefit to parents that wish to take the unpaid leave when their children will be returning to school in September.”