As stated in the Paternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2016, employees who are a relevant parent in relation to a child are entitled to two weeks' paternity leave to be taken at any time within 26 weeks of the birth or placement. The definition of a 'relevant parent' has been drafted to provide for same sex couples.
Paternity leave can be taken by one person only. However, in the case of adoption, this legislation allows for circumstances where the birth father will have taken paternity leave, by ensuring that the adoptive father can subsequently also take paternity leave.
The entitlement to paternity leave applies where the date of confinement - or, in the case of adoption, the date of placement of the child - falls on or after 1 September 2016.
Self-employed fathers who meet certain social insurance contribution requirements, set out in Section 31 of the Bill, also qualify for paternity benefit.
For more information, visit www.welfare.ie