Ireland’s paternity leave system gives new fathers and partners 2 weeks of paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child. The leave is paid through the Department of Social Protection at a flat weekly rate of EUR 299, and employers have no obligation to top up the payment — though many do.
This guide covers Irish paternity leave in 2026: the statutory entitlement, Paternity Benefit rates, employer obligations, the notice requirements, and how paternity leave fits alongside maternity leave and the newer parent’s leave.
Key takeaways
- Fathers and partners are entitled to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave under the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016.
- Paternity Benefit is paid at EUR 299 per week by the Department of Social Protection for the full 2-week period.
- The leave must be taken within 26 weeks of the birth or placement for adoption.
- Employees must give at least 4 weeks’ notice to their employer before starting leave.
- Employers are not required to top up the flat-rate benefit, though many do through contractual arrangements.
- Paternity leave is separate from parent’s leave (5 weeks) and parental leave (22 weeks).
The statutory entitlement
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides for 2 consecutive weeks of paternity leave. The leave applies to both employed and self-employed parents, and to employees who have recently started a new job — there is no qualifying service period.
Key rules:
- The leave must be taken within 26 weeks of the birth or adoption of the child.
- The two weeks must be taken consecutively — they cannot be split.
- Paternity leave is an unpaid leave from the employer’s perspective. The employee is paid through Paternity Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, not through the employer’s payroll.
- The leave is additional to annual leave, sick leave, and any other statutory leave entitlements.
- Employees cannot take paternity leave while on maternity leave — it starts after the maternity leave period ends.
Paternity Benefit
Paternity Benefit is the social insurance payment that replaces the employee’s salary during paternity leave. It is funded through PRSI contributions and paid directly by the Department of Social Protection.
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weekly rate | EUR 299 |
| Duration | 2 weeks |
| PRSI requirement | 39 weeks of PRSI contributions in the preceding 12 months |
| Employer obligation | No statutory requirement to top up |
| Tax treatment | Subject to income tax, USC, and PRSI |
The PRSI qualifying condition applies to both employees and self-employed persons. Employees must have at least 39 weeks of paid PRSI contributions in the 12-month period before the expected date of birth.
For employees who do not meet the PRSI threshold, the leave still applies — they simply will not receive the Paternity Benefit payment. Many employers choose to pay during this period as a contractual benefit.
Eligibility
To qualify for Paternity Benefit, the employee must:
- Be insured for PRSI class A, E, P, or S.
- Have at least 39 weeks of paid PRSI contributions in the 12 months before the expected date of birth.
- Be the father, spouse, civil partner, or cohabiting partner of the mother or adoptive parent.
- Provide a PB2 certificate to their employer (available from mywelfare.ie).
For self-employed persons on class S contributions, the same 39-week rule applies.
Notice requirements
The employee must give their employer at least 4 weeks’ written notice before the intended start date of paternity leave. The notice should include:
- The expected date of birth.
- The intended start and end dates of the leave.
- A copy of the PB2 certificate (which confirms Paternity Benefit eligibility).
For adoptions, the notice period is 4 weeks before the expected date of placement.
The employer should retain copies of the PB2 certificate and the employee’s leave notice for payroll and compliance records.
How paternity leave fits alongside other leave types
Ireland’s family leave framework is complex, with five distinct leave types running in parallel. Understanding how paternity leave fits is essential for employers managing multiple concurrent entitlements.
| Leave type | Duration | Pay | When taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity leave | 26 weeks | EUR 274/week (Maternity Benefit) | Before and after birth |
| Paternity leave | 2 weeks | EUR 299/week (Paternity Benefit) | Within 26 weeks of birth |
| Parent’s leave | 5 weeks | EUR 299/week | Within 12 months of birth |
| Parental leave | 22 weeks | Unpaid | Until child is 12 |
| Adoptive leave | 24 weeks | EUR 274/week | From placement |
The critical sequence is:
- Maternity leave ends.
- Paternity leave begins immediately or shortly after.
- Parent’s leave can be taken separately, within 12 months of birth.
- Parental leave (unpaid) can be taken until the child is 12.
Employer obligations
Irish employers have five core duties around paternity leave:
- Accept the PB2 certificate and retain a copy for compliance records.
- Process the leave once the employee provides the required notice and documentation.
- Maintain employment terms — annual leave, pension contributions, and other benefits continue to accrue during the leave.
- Do not penalise the employee for taking or requesting paternity leave.
- Consider top-up arrangements — while not legally required, many employers pay the difference between Paternity Benefit and the employee’s normal salary.
Worked example
Aoife’s husband, Ciaran, works for a mid-size engineering firm. Their baby is due on 15 August 2026. Ciaran has been in PRSI class A for 3 years.
Ciaran gives his employer a PB2 certificate and 4 weeks’ notice before the expected date of birth, requesting his 2 weeks of paternity leave starting on 16 August 2026.
Ciaran receives EUR 299 per week for 2 weeks = EUR 598 from the Department of Social Protection. His employer has a top-up policy that covers the remaining difference to his normal salary, so Ciaran receives his full pay during the 2-week period.
Ciaran’s annual leave continues to accrue. He can also take 5 weeks of parent’s leave within the next 12 months if he wishes.
Common pitfalls
1. Treating paternity leave as part of maternity leave
Paternity leave is a distinct entitlement. It cannot be deducted from the mother’s maternity leave, and the mother’s leave does not automatically grant paternity leave to the father.
2. Missing the PB2 certificate
The PB2 certificate is the employee’s proof of Paternity Benefit eligibility. Employers who do not collect it face complications if the employee later makes a claim.
3. Ignoring the 26-week window
If the employee does not take paternity leave within 26 weeks of the birth, the entitlement is lost. Track this window actively.
4. Confusing paternity leave with parent’s leave
They are separate entitlements. Paternity leave is 2 weeks immediately after birth. Parent’s leave is 5 weeks, taken within 12 months.
For more Irish context, see our guide to maternity leave in Ireland, the overview of types of leave, and our guide to parental leave.
Frequently asked questions
How many weeks of paternity leave do you get in Ireland?
You get 2 consecutive weeks of paternity leave, paid through the Department of Social Protection at EUR 299 per week.
When must paternity leave be taken?
Paternity leave must be taken within 26 weeks of the birth or adoption of the child. The leave is typically taken immediately after the mother’s maternity leave ends.
Can an employer refuse paternity leave?
An employer cannot refuse a qualifying request. The employee has a statutory right, provided they give the required notice and provide a valid PB2 certificate.
Do employees accrue annual leave during paternity leave?
Yes. Paternity leave is treated as a period of continuous employment. Holiday entitlements, pension contributions, and other benefits continue to accrue during the leave.
What is the difference between paternity leave and parent’s leave?
Paternity leave is 2 weeks taken immediately after birth, paid at EUR 299/week. Parent’s leave is 5 weeks taken within 12 months of birth, also paid at EUR 299/week. They are separate entitlements that can both be taken by the same employee.
Managing paternity leave, parent’s leave, and parental leave across a growing Irish team — each with different durations, pay rates, and notice periods — is exactly the kind of complexity that a leave management system handles automatically.
Sources
- Department of Social Protection — Paternity Benefit (primary source)
- Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016
- Citizens Information — Paternity Leave
- mywelfare.ie — PB2 certificate
Last updated: 26 July 2026. This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Paternity Benefit rates and PRSI thresholds change annually — confirm current figures with the Department of Social Protection.