President Michael D Higgins signed the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017 into law last week.

The new legislation increases unpaid parental leave from 18 weeks to 26 weeks. It will be implemented on a phased basis, with an extra four weeks in the first year and the second four weeks in year two.

The qualifying age of children has also been extended from eight to 12.

Parents who have already taken some or all of the current 18 weeks’ leave and who have children up to 12 years of age are permitted to take the extra eight weeks.