Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Parental Leave Act 1998
No. 30 of 1998

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
Commencement Information
Whole Act 3 December 1998 Commenced under s. 1(2)

Amendments and other effects

How Affected Affecting Provision Affecting Provision Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
Commencement Source
Act included in collectively cited Parental Leave Acts 13/2006, s. 13(2) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
  11/2019, s. 8(2), (3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
  8/2023, s. 1(2) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(a)
Act included in definition of employment and relevant enactments 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 2 and sch. 1 part 1 item 6 1 August 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 338 of 2015), art. 2(a)
Provisions specified for the purposes of 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 41(1), (2), sch. 5 pt. 3 item 3 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
Trans. of functns. under S.I. No. 436 of 2020, arts. 1(2), 2, 3, schedule 1 14 October 2020 S.I. No. 436 of 2020, art. 1(2)
  S.I. No. 139 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3(1) & sch. (col. cit.) 1 April 2011 S.I. No. 139 of 2011, art. 1(2)
  S.I. No. 217 of 2010, arts, 1(2), 3(1) & sch. (col. cit.) 1 June 2010 S.I. No. 217 of 2010 art, 1(2)
  42/2004, ss. 3 (1), 4, 58, 59 (1) (2) (3), sch. 3 1 January 2005 Health Act 2004 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 887 of 2004), art. 2
s. 2 functions transferred and references construed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 66 Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 1(2)
S. 2(1) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 3(a)(i), (ii) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
  11/2019, ss. 2, 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
  11/2013, ss. 1(2), 72(1), sch. 6, item 26 1 July 2013 Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (Commencement) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 211 of 2013), art. 4
  S.I. No. 81 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 3(a)(i), (ii) 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
  21/2010, ss. 2, 169 1 November 2010 Adoption Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 511 of 2010), art. 2
S. 2(3A) inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 3(b) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 2(4) substituted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 3(c) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
  S.I. No. 81 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 3(b) 8 March 2013
S. 6(1) substit. S.I. No. 81 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 4(a) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 6 substit. 13/2006, s. 2 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 6(1A) inserted 11/2019, ss. 3(a), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 6(2) rep. S.I. No. 231 of 2000, reg. 3(3) 19 July 2000 Commenced on enactment
S. 6(2)(a) amended 11/2019, ss. 3(b), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 6(2)(b)(ii) amended 11/2019, ss. 3(c), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 6(2)(c) am. S.I. No. 81 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 4(b)(i), (ii) 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
S. 6(3) applic. rstrct. S.I. No. 231 of 2000, reg. 4 19 July 2000 Commenced on enactment
S. 6(3A) inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 4(a) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 6(4) regard for previous employment S.I. No. 231 of 2000, reg. 5(b) 19 July 2000 Commenced on enactment
S. 6(6A) ins. 14/2008, ss. 1(2), 72 20 July 2008 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 (Commencement) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 274 of 2008), art. 3(1)
S. 6(6A) substit. S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2), 4(c) 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
S. 6(7) am. 13/2006, s. 3(a) and (b) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 6(8) regard for previous employment S.I. No. 231 of 2000, reg. 5(b) 19 July 2000 Commenced on enactment
S. 6(8A) inserted 11/2019, ss. 3(d), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 6(9) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 4(b) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
  4/2021, ss. 1(2), 8 1 April 2021 Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 (Commencement) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 148 of 2021), art. 2
  9/2015, ss. 1(5), 178 18 January 2016 Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 12 of 2016), art. 3(j)
  S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2), 4(d) 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
S. 7(1) substit. S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2), 5(a) 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
S. 7(1)(a) amended 11/2019, ss. 4(a), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
  13/2006, s. 4(a)(i) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(1)(aa) par. ins. 13/2006, s. 4(a)(ii) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(1)(aa)(ii) amended 11/2019, ss. 4(b), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 7(1)(b)(iii) amended 11/2019, ss. 4(c), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 7(1)(ba) inserted 11/2019, ss. 4(d), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 7(1A) subsec. ins. 13/2006, s. 4(b) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(1B) subsec. ins. 13/2006, s. 4(b) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(2)(a) amended 11/2019, ss. 4(e), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
  S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2), 5(b)(i), (ii) 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
S. 7(2)(b) amended 11/2019, ss. 4(f), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
  13/2006, s. 4(c) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(3) amended 11/2019, ss. 4(g), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
  13/2006, s. 4(d) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(3) construction of references S.I. No. 231 of 2000, reg. 6 19 July 2000 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(3A) subsec. ins. 13/2006, s. 4(e) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 7(3B) inserted 11/2019, ss. 4(h), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 7(5) inserted 11/2019, ss. 4(i), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 8(6) substit. 13/2006, s. 5 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 8(7) ins. 13/2006, s. 5 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 8(8) inserted 11/2019, ss. 5, 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 10 applied S.I. No. 231 of 2000, reg. 7 19 July 2000 Commenced on enactment
S. 10(2) substit. 13/2006, s. 6(a) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 10(2)(b) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 5(a) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 10(3) am. 13/2006, s. 6(b) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 10(4) subsec. ins. 13/2006, s. 6(c) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 10(5) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 5(b) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 10(5) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1) 3 July 2008 Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 231 of 2008), art. 2(j)
S. 10(5) subsec. ins. 13/2006, s. 6(c) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 11 applied S.I. No. 231 of 2000, reg. 7 19 July 2000 Commenced on enactment
S. 11(6) substit. 13/2006, s. 7 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 11(6A) ins. 13/2006, s. 7 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 11(6B) inserted 11/2019, ss. 6, 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 13(2)(f) substit. 13/2006, s. 8(a) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 13(2A) subsec. ins. 13/2006, s. 8(b) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 13(2B) subsec. ins. 13/2006, s. 8(b) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 13(3) form of notice prescribed S.I. No. 454 of 1998, regs. 1, 2, schedule 1 December 1998 Commenced on enactment
S. 13A inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 6 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 13AA inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 7 27 November 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 573 of 2023), art. 2
Part IIA (ss. 13B-13H) inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 8 6 March 2024 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 91 of 2024), art. 2(a)
Part IIA (ss. 13B-13H) approved code of practice provided S.I. No. 92 of 2024 6 March 2024 Commenced on enactment
S. 14(2) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 9(a) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 14(5) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 9(b) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 14(6)-(8) inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 9(c) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 15(1)(c) substit. 13/2006, s. 9 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 15(4)-(6) inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 10 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 15A ins. S.I. No. 81 of 2013 reg. 1(2), 6 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
S. 16(2)(a) am. 13/2006, s. 10(a) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 16(2)(b) substit. 13/2006, s. 10(b) 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 16A ins. 13/2006, s. 11 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 16A(1) substituted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 11 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 16A(1) am. S.I. No. 81 of 2013, regs. 1(2), 7 8 March 2013 S.I. No. 81 of 2013, reg. 1(2)
Part 4 (ss. 17-22) redress and appeal procedures provided (whole Act) 16/2015, s. 41(2), sch. 5 part 3 item 3 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
Pt. 4 (ss. 17-22) procedures prescribed S.I. No. 6 of 1999, regs. 3-19 20 January 1999 S.I. No. 6 of 1999, reg. 1
S. 17 repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), (2), (7), sch. 2, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
S. 18(2) substit. 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 52(1), (3), sch. 7, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
S. 18(3)-(7) repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), (2), (7), sch. 2, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
Ss. 19-20 repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), (2), (7), sch. 2, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
S. 21 substit. 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 52(1), (3), sch. 7, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
S. 21(1) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 12(a) 6 March 2024 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 91 of 2024), art. 2(b)
S. 21(1) relevant redress provision specified 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 41(5)(b)(ii), 44(1)(b)(i), sch. 6 pts. 1 & 2 item 11, sch. 7 pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
S. 21(3), method for calculating max. comp. presc. S.I. No. 34 of 1999, regs. 1, 3-10 9 February 1999 Commenced on enactment
S. 21(6)(b) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 12(b) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 21A inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 13 6 March 2024 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 91 of 2024), art. 2(c)
S. 22 repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), (2), (7), schedule 2, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
S. 22A constr. refs. "Equality Authority" 25/2014, ss. 1(3), 8, 44(2) 1 November 2014 Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 (Commencement) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 449 of 2014), art. 4
S. 22A s. ins. 13/2006, s. 12 18 May 2006 Commenced on enactment
S. 22A EAT construed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 66 Not yet commenced. Requires commencement order under s. 1(2)
S. 22A(1) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 14 6 March 2024 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 91 of 2024), art. 2(c)
S. 24 repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), (2), (7), sch. 2, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2
S. 27(1) substituted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 15(a) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 27(2) subsituted 11/2019, ss. 7(a), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 27(2)(a) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 15(b)(i) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 27(2)(b) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 15(b)(ii) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 27(2)(c) inserted 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 15(b)(iii) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
S. 27(4) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 15(c) 3 July 2023 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 341 of 2023), art. 2(b)
  11/2019, ss. 7(b), 8(3) 19 July 2019 Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 356 of 2019), art. 2
S. 27(4) fine construed as Class C fine 8/2010, ss. 1(2), 3, 6 4 January 2011 Fines Act 2010 (Commencement) Order 2010 (S.I. No. 662 of 2010), art. 2(a)
S. 27(5) repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), (2), (7), sch. 2, pt. 1 item 11 1 October 2015 Workplace Relations Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 410 of 2015), art. 2

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 3 Parental Leave Act 1998 (Section 13AA) (Prescribed Daily Rate of Domestic Violence Leave Pay) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 574 of 2023)
  Parental Leave (Maximum Compensation) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 34 of 1999)
  Parental Leave (Disputes and Appeals) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 6 of 1999)
  Parental Leave (Notice of Force Majeure Leave) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 454 of 1998)
S. 13A Parental Leave Act 1998 (Section 13AA) (Prescribed Daily Rate of Domestic Violence Leave Pay) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 574 of 2023)
S. 13AA(6) Parental Leave Act 1998 (Section 13AA) (Prescribed Daily Rate of Domestic Violence Leave Pay) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 574 of 2023)
S. 18(4) Parental Leave (Disputes and Appeals) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 6 of 1999)
S. 19(2) Parental Leave (Disputes and Appeals) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 6 of 1999)
S. 21(3) Parental Leave (Maximum Compensation) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 34 of 1999)