Maternity Leave Calculator
Created by: James Porter
Last updated:
This comprehensive calculator helps Irish employers determine maternity, parental, paternity, and adoptive leave duration based on current employment law. Plan employee absences accurately, calculate return dates, and ensure full compliance with statutory leave requirements.
Maternity Leave Calculator
DatePlan employee leave duration and calculate return dates for Irish employers
Basic Leave Information
Click to select a date from the calendar
Select the type of employee taking leave
Select Leave Types & Duration
Related Calculators
What is Maternity Leave in Ireland?
Maternity leave in Ireland is a statutory entitlement that provides job protection and time off work for mothers around the time of childbirth. Under Irish employment law, eligible employees are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, with specific timing requirements to ensure the health and wellbeing of both mother and baby.
The Irish maternity leave system is comprehensive, offering various types of leave including basic maternity leave, additional unpaid leave, parental leave, and the newer Parent's Leave scheme introduced in 2019. Understanding these entitlements is crucial for both employers and employees to ensure compliance with employment legislation.
Types of Family Leave in Ireland
Maternity Leave
Duration: 26 weeks (182 days)
Timing: Must take 2 weeks before birth, 4 weeks after birth
Eligibility: Mothers who have worked for at least 8 weeks
Additional Unpaid Maternity Leave
Duration: Up to 16 weeks (112 days)
Timing: Immediately following maternity leave
Eligibility: Same as basic maternity leave
Parental Leave
Duration: 26 weeks per child
Timing: Can be taken until child turns 12
Eligibility: Parents with 1 year's continuous service
Parent's Leave
Duration: 7 weeks per parent per child
Timing: Within first 2 years of child's life
Eligibility: Parents with minimum service requirements
Paternity Leave
Duration: 2 weeks
Timing: Within 6 months of birth
Eligibility: Fathers/partners with adequate service
Adoptive Leave
Duration: 24 weeks
Timing: From placement date
Eligibility: Adoptive parents meeting service requirements
How to Calculate Total Leave: Examples
Example 1: New Mother Taking Combined Leave
Scenario: Mother taking full maternity leave plus parental leave
- Maternity Leave: 26 weeks (182 days)
- Parental Leave: 26 weeks (182 days)
- Total Leave: 52 weeks (364 days)
Example 2: Father Taking All Available Leave
Scenario: Father taking paternity leave plus parent's leave
- Paternity Leave: 2 weeks (14 days)
- Parent's Leave: 7 weeks (49 days)
- Total Leave: 9 weeks (63 days)
Common Applications
- HR Planning: Calculate employee absence periods for workforce planning and temporary cover arrangements.
- Payroll Management: Determine statutory payment periods and coordinate with social welfare benefits.
- Employee Communication: Provide clear information to employees about their leave entitlements and return dates.
- Compliance Monitoring: Ensure adherence to Irish employment law requirements and avoid potential legal issues.
- Budget Planning: Calculate costs associated with leave coverage and statutory payment obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much maternity leave am I entitled to in Ireland?
In Ireland, you are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave (182 days). You must take at least 2 weeks before your baby's due date and 4 weeks after birth. You can also take up to 16 additional weeks of unpaid maternity leave.
What is the difference between maternity leave and parental leave in Ireland?
Maternity leave is 26 weeks specifically for mothers around childbirth. Parental leave is 26 weeks that either parent can take to care for their child, available until the child turns 12 years old.
How much paternity leave can fathers take in Ireland?
Fathers and partners can take 2 weeks of paternity leave, which must be taken within the first 6 months after the baby's birth. This is in addition to any parental leave entitlements.
What is Parent's Leave in Ireland?
Parent's Leave is 7 weeks that each parent can take per child during the first 2 years of the child's life. This is separate from maternity, paternity, and parental leave entitlements.
Can I combine different types of leave consecutively?
Yes, you can combine different leave types. For example, mothers often take maternity leave followed by parental leave or parent's leave. However, some leaves have specific timing requirements and eligibility criteria.
Tips for Employers
- Early Planning: Discuss leave plans with employees early to arrange appropriate cover.
- Documentation: Keep detailed records of leave applications and approvals for compliance purposes.
- Stay Updated: Irish family leave legislation evolves regularly - stay informed of changes.
- Support Systems: Consider offering additional support like keeping-in-touch days during longer leave periods.
- Legal Compliance: Consult with employment law specialists for complex situations or policy development.
Sources and References
- Citizens Information Board, "Maternity Leave", www.citizensinformation.ie
- Workplace Relations Commission, "Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004"
- Department of Justice, "Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019"
- Irish Statute Book, "Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2019"