Parent's Leave and Benefit Bill has been published by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration.

The Bill provides for 2 weeks parent's leave and benefit for each parent of a child born or adopted on or after 1st November 2019, during the first year of the child's life. Benefit will be paid from the DEASP at the same rate as Maternity and Paternity Benefit. This leave and benefit is in addition to an employee's entitlement to maternity, paternity, adoptive or parental leave. It is expected that the Bill will be passed through the Dáil and enacted before 1st November 2019.