Civil Service employers have agreed that any new parent who qualifies for two weeks' paternity leave will receive full pay for the duration of their leave. The new measures take effect from 1st Sept 2016.

The new Paternity Leave and Benefit Act came into force on 1^st September this year and entitles a new father or qualifying parent to two weeks' paid leave. A payment of €230 per week is available from the Department of Social Protection.

IMPACT successfully made a claim to Civil Service management that the paternity leave benefit would be topped up to full salary.

Under the Act, a “relevant parent”, for the purposes of paternity leave entitlement, includes the father of the child; the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the mother of the child; and the parent of a donor-conceived child.

In the case of an adopted child the relevant parent includes the nominated parent, in the case of a married same-sex couple, or the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the adopting mother or sole male adopter.

You should apply to your employer in writing at least four weeks before taking your paternity leave. A circular is due to issue from the department soon.