The Dáil is set to approve a new law which will see working parents receive more unpaid leave. They hope the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill will introduce a healthier work-life balance.
The government want families to ‘enjoy a better work-life balance’ by giving parents the chance to spend more time at home with their families.
Unpaid parental leave will be extended from four months to six months, which is a major help to working parents.
This means workers can now take 26 weeks unpaid leave without their job being affected.
The qualifying child age will also be increased from eight to 12, meaning workers with children up to the age of 12 will be able to take leave.
Róisín Shortall of the Social Democrats explained the importance of this new law. She told the Independent: "Increasing the amount of unpaid leave available represents a win-win for both working parents and employees.”
"For parents with pre-school children, in particular, unpaid parental leave can be a realistic alternative to paying high costs of formal childcare," she added.
They hope to see the changes implemented in a handful of months.
Parents who have used up part of their leave will also benefit from these new changes.
It is understood that the Dáil will pass the law this week.
