Paternity leave and Paternity Benefit in Ireland

At a glance, as of October 2026

Who is a "relevant parent"

The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 gives the leave to:

• the father of the child;
• the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the mother;
• the parent of a donor-conceived child;
• in an adoption, the parent who is not taking adoptive leave (or a person adopting alone who is not taking adoptive leave).

So a mother's wife, civil partner or partner can take paternity leave, and so can an unmarried father.

How to ask your employer

1. Write to your employer at least 4 weeks before the leave, with the dates you plan.
2. Attach a certificate from your partner's doctor stating the due date, or confirming the actual date of birth if you apply after the birth. For an adoption, attach the certificate of placement.
3. Your employer completes form PB2 for your Paternity Benefit claim.

Postponing: you can postpone the leave if the birth is later than expected, if you are sick before it starts (with written evidence), or, with your employer's agreement, if your baby is in hospital.

After a stillbirth from the 23rd week of pregnancy, or of a baby weighing at least 400 grams, you are still entitled to paternity leave and, if your PRSI qualifies, 2 weeks of Paternity Benefit.

Paternity Benefit: qualifying and applying

The PRSI rules mirror Maternity Benefit. Classes A, E, H and S count.

• Employees: at least 39 weeks of PRSI paid in the 12 months before the leave; or 39 weeks paid since starting work plus 39 weeks paid or credited in the relevant tax year (2024 for leave in 2026) or the year after; or 26 weeks paid in the relevant tax year and 26 in the year before.
• Self-employed: 52 weeks of Class S paid in the relevant tax year, or the year before or after it. You self-certify your leave and a doctor completes form PB3.

Apply online on MyWelfare.ie with a Public Services Card linked to your mobile number and a verified MyGovID, uploading the PB2 or PB3. If you have a dependent partner or children, you get the higher of Paternity Benefit or the Illness Benefit rate with increases for dependants. Paternity Benefit Section: 074 9164496 or 0818 300600, paternityben@welfare.ie (as listed in October 2026).

Some employers pay full salary during paternity leave and ask for the benefit to be paid to them; your contract says what applies.

When to take the 2 weeks

There is no single right answer. Some families want two adults at home in the first fortnight; others keep the leave for when the mother's leave ends or for a particularly hard stretch. A 2023 review in The Lancet Public Health found clear links between generous leave and mothers' mental health, while the evidence on fathers' own mental health was less conclusive, so it is worth talking through what will help your household most.

Useful things for a partner to own

• Book the registration appointment and register the birth (from 3 weeks after a hospital birth)
• Book the baby's 2-week GP check
• Keep the warning signs and helplines on the fridge: 112 or 999 in an emergency, Samaritans 116 123
• Plan your own parent's leave: 9 more weeks before your child turns 2

Our Having a Baby in Ireland guide has a family leave planner for both parents.

Questions parents ask

Sources

1. Citizens Information — Paternity leave (Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016) checked October 13, 2026
2. Citizens Information — Paternity Benefit (rate 2026, Budget 2027) checked October 13, 2026
3. Citizens Information — Parent's leave (comparison of leave types) checked October 13, 2026
4. Heshmati A et al. (2023), Lancet Public Health — The effect of parental leave on parents' mental health, systematic review (PMID 36603912) checked October 13, 2026

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