Secondary legislation in force from yesterday uses powers under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 to extend the number of weeks that parents can take time off work with financial support from the State from seven weeks to nine weeks.

Parent’s leave and benefit is available to eligible parents with a child under two years of age or who have adopted a child within the last 2 years.

In 2023, almost 78,200 parent’s benefit claims were awarded, compared to just 16,700 in 2020. Over 38,800 parent’s benefit claims have been awarded in the first half of this year.

Social protection minister Heather Humphreys said: “We have expanded the parent’s leave and benefit schemes over several budgets, since 2019 when two weeks’ leave and benefit were originally introduced.

“I am delighted that we are, again, increasing the number of weeks of paid parent’s leave each parent can take, this time from seven to nine weeks from 1st August.

“This is a measure which thousands of families with young children across the country will benefit from.

“The significant raise in take-up demonstrates just how important and popular it is with parents.

“Time spent with a new-born child in the early months of their life is so important and the expansion of these schemes will facilitate parents in spending more time with their children during this important phase of their child’s life.”

Children’s minister Roderic O’Gorman added: “It is so important that parents are supported to spend time with their children during those precious first few years.

“I’m delighted that from August, parents with a child under two years of age or who have adopted a child within the last two years will each be entitled to an extra two weeks of paid parent’s leave.

“Since 2020, the government has more than quadrupled paid parent’s leave, from two weeks up to nine weeks. Alongside record investment in early learning and childcare, we will continue to work at supporting parents and ensuring that children get the best start in life.”