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Parent's Benefit calculator

2026 and 2027 rates

Each parent can take 9 weeks of paid parent's leave before their child's second birthday. Parent's Benefit is €299 a week in 2026, rising to €309 from January 2027 under Budget 2027. Enter your child's birth date and the weeks you have already taken.

Parent's Benefit for this leave 
Weeks left before this leave
 
Weeks left after it
 
Leave ends
 
Last day for leave
 
Payment
Dates

The other parent has their own 9 weeks. Parent's Benefit is taxable but has no USC or PRSI.

This is an estimate for general information, based on the rates and rules described on this page. It is not financial, tax or legal advice and does not take account of your full circumstances. Check your own position with the Department of Social Protection, the relevant scheme or Citizens Information before making a decision. Terms of use.

Illustration for the parent's benefit calculator

How Parent's Benefit is worked out

Each parent gets 9 weeks of parent's leave for each child, to be taken before the child's second birthday (or within 2 years of an adoption placement). Parent's Benefit pays a flat €299 a week in 2026 and €309 from January 2027 (announced). We take off the weeks you have already used, count your next block of leave from the start date, and pay each week at the rate in force on the day it starts. Weeks that would end on or after the second birthday are left out.

Example. A child was born on 20 November 2025, so leave has to finish by 19 November 2027. One parent has taken 4 weeks and has 5 left. Taking them from 14 December 2026, the leave runs to 17 January 2027. 3 weeks at €299 and 2 weeks at €309 come to €1,515. Tell the employer by 2 November 2026 and apply by 16 November 2026.

Not included: the rate for people with dependants (based on Illness Benefit, if that is higher), half-rate Parent's Benefit with another welfare payment, and extensions to the deadline in special cases.

Sources

Rates last checked 10 October 2026. Every figure is listed on rates and sources.

Figures marked as announced come from Budget 2027 and are not law until the Finance Act or Social Welfare Act that brings them in is passed.

Questions

How much is Parent's Benefit?
€299 a week in 2026, so €2,691 for all 9 weeks. Budget 2027 announced an increase to €309 a week from January 2027 (€2,781 for 9 weeks). It is a flat rate and does not depend on your pay.
How many weeks of parent's leave do I get?
9 weeks for each parent, for each child. It went up from 7 to 9 weeks on 1 August 2024. Both parents can take their own 9 weeks, and the weeks cannot be transferred between parents.
When do I have to take parent's leave?
Before your child's second birthday, or within 2 years of an adopted child being placed with you. You can take the weeks one at a time or together.
Is parent's leave the same as parental leave?
No. Parent's leave is the paid leave in the first 2 years, with Parent's Benefit from the Department of Social Protection. Parental leave is a separate, unpaid entitlement of 26 weeks per parent for each child, which can be taken until the child is 12.
Who qualifies for Parent's Benefit?
You need to be on parent's leave from work, or self-employed, and have enough PRSI contributions: for example 39 weeks paid in the 12 months before the leave. Other tests use your contributions in the relevant tax year, which is 2 years before the year the leave starts.
When do I apply?
Tell your employer at least 6 weeks before the leave starts, and apply for Parent's Benefit on MyWelfare.ie at least 4 weeks before (6 weeks if you are self-employed). You need the child's PPS number. You must apply within 6 months of taking the leave.
Is Parent's Benefit taxed?
Parent's Benefit is taxable, but USC and PRSI are not charged on it. If your employer pays you in full during the leave, they may ask for the benefit to be paid to them.

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