There was some good news for parents as the Government officially announced that parents will be able to avail of four weeks extra parental leave beginning this September.
Under the new scheme parents can apply to take up to 22 weeks unpaid leave rather than the original 18 weeks.
The new Parental Leave (Amendment Act) 2019 was officially signed into law by the Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan.
Speaking upon announceing the extra leave, Minister Flanagan said the option to take extra unpaid leave will apply to both parents and it will be extended to 26 weeks in September 2020.
He added that the leave will apply to all parents of children under the age of 12.