Parent's Benefit in Ireland: how much is it and how do you apply?

Here is how much Parent's Benefit is in 2026 and 2027, who can take parent's leave and how to apply, from Citizens Information and gov.ie, both checked on 17 October 2026 and updated for Budget 2027.

How much is Parent's Benefit in Ireland?

Parent's Benefit is €299 a week in 2026, for up to 9 weeks for each parent, so up to €2,691 each. Budget 2027 raises it by €10 to €309 a week from January 2027, or up to €2,781 for 9 weeks. It is taxable, but you do not pay USC or PRSI on it.

Parent's Benefit	A week	For 9 weeks
2026	€299	€2,691
From January 2027	€309	€2,781

If you have dependants, your Parent's Benefit is compared with the Illness Benefit you would get, including the increases for your family, and you are paid whichever is higher. It is paid once for twins or more: you still get one 9-week entitlement each, not one per child.

The payment goes into your bank or building society account. If your employer keeps paying you in full during the leave, they may ask for it to be paid to them instead.

Who can take parent's leave in Ireland?

Each relevant parent can take 9 weeks: a parent of the child, the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a parent, the parent of a donor-conceived child or an adopting parent. Employees and self-employed people both qualify. Each parent has their own 9 weeks, and you cannot transfer weeks to your partner.

If one parent dies, the surviving parent can take the weeks the other parent had not used. The leave is the same 9 weeks for twins or more, or when you adopt 2 or more children at the same time.

Do I have enough PRSI for Parent's Benefit?

As an employee, the simplest test is 39 weeks of PRSI paid in the 12 months before your Parent's Benefit starts. Classes A, B, C, D, E, H and S count. If you fall short, two other tests look at the relevant tax year, 2024 for leave in 2026. If self-employed, you need 52 weeks of Class S.

As an employee you need one of these:

• At least 39 weeks of PRSI paid in the 12 months before the first day of your Parent's Benefit.
• At least 39 weeks paid since you first started work, and at least 39 weeks paid or credited in the relevant tax year or the tax year after it. For leave in 2026 those years are 2024 and 2025.
• At least 26 weeks paid in the relevant tax year and at least 26 weeks paid in the tax year before it. For leave in 2026 those years are 2024 and 2023.

If you are self-employed, you need 52 weeks of Class S contributions paid in the relevant tax year, the tax year before it or the tax year after it. Employee contributions from before you became self-employed can also help, and the other way round.

An insurance record from another EU country can count too, as long as you have paid at least one full-rate PRSI contribution in Ireland.

How can I take my 9 weeks of parent's leave?

You can take parent's leave as one block of 9 weeks or in separate periods of at least one week, at any time before your child turns 2, or within 2 years of an adoption placement. Your employer can postpone it once, for up to 12 weeks, for business reasons, but cannot refuse it if you are entitled.

While you are on parent's leave you are treated as being in employment: you build up annual leave, you get any public holidays that fall in your leave, PRSI credits are added for you and you can return to your job afterwards. If your employer postpones your leave, they must tell you in writing at least 4 weeks before it was due to start.

If your baby is in hospital, you can put off your parent's leave and Parent's Benefit, but you must start them within 7 days of your baby leaving hospital.

Planning who is off when? In Lullagram both parents log feeds, sleep and nappies on their own phones, so whoever is on leave sees the day so far: how sharing the baby tracker works.

How do I apply for Parent's Benefit?

First tell your employer in writing, at least 6 weeks before your leave, with your dates and your child's birth certificate. Then apply on MyWelfare.ie at least 4 weeks before the leave starts, or 6 weeks before if you are self-employed. You need your baby's PPS number and a verified MyGovID account.

1. Give your employer written notice at least 6 weeks before your leave: the start date, how you will take it (all at once or in separate weeks) and how long, with a certificate such as the birth certificate, or the certificate of placement for an adoption.
2. Apply on MyWelfare.ie at least 4 weeks before your leave. You declare that your employer has approved your dates; you do not need to upload proof. You also need your employer's registered number (ERN), their name and address, and a Public Services Card linked to your mobile number.
3. Cannot apply online? Email parentsben@welfare.ie or phone the Parent's Benefit Section for a paper form.

Do not leave it late: you must apply within 6 months of taking your parent's leave. Your baby gets a PPS number when you register the birth, so do that first: our guide to registering a birth explains how.

Does my employer have to pay me on parent's leave?

No. Your employer does not have to pay you during parent's leave, though your contract may give you more. Some employers top up Parent's Benefit to your normal pay, or keep paying you in full and ask for the benefit to be paid to them. Check your contract of employment to see what applies.

You are protected against penalisation and unfair dismissal for taking parent's leave. If you have a dispute with your employer, you can refer it to the Workplace Relations Commission within 6 months.

What if I already get a social welfare payment?

You may get half-rate Parent's Benefit if you already get One-Parent Family Payment, a Bereaved Partner's Pension or Death Benefit by way of a Bereaved Partner's or Dependent Parents' Pension. Working Family Payment carries on alongside it if you meet the rules for both, and if you care for someone full time you may also get half-rate Carer's Allowance.

How does parent's leave fit with maternity and paternity leave?

Parent's leave comes on top of the others. The mother has maternity leave and the second parent has 2 weeks of paternity leave in the first 6 months. Then each parent can take 9 weeks of parent's leave before the child turns 2, and parental leave gives up to 26 weeks unpaid for a child under 12.

Our maternity leave guide and Paternity Benefit guide cover those payments, and the Budget 2027 guide for parents has the January 2027 rates for all of them.

Who do I contact about Parent's Benefit?

Contact the Parent's Benefit Section of the Department of Social Protection by email at parentsben@welfare.ie, or call 0818 300600 or 074 9164496. For free help with your claim, call the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, or visit your local Citizens Information Centre.

Postal applications go to the Parent's Benefit Section, Department of Social Protection, McCarter's Road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, F93 CH79. If you disagree with a decision on your claim, you can appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 60 days of getting it.