Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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364. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify whether there is an age limit in respect of a child for a parent or guardian to take parental leave; if she can supply the circulars and or memos that communicate parental leave to teachers in primary and post-primary schools. [10925/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Parental Leave Scheme for teachers is regulated by the Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended. The terms and conditions of the Parental Leave Scheme for primary and post primary teachers are contained in my Department's Circular Letter 0054/2019 (Chapter 5).

Parental Leave is a period of statutory unpaid leave available to a teacher for the specific purpose of caring for their child. Parental Leave is available to a) the natural parent, b) the adoptive parent c) the adopting parent and d) a teacher acting in loco parentis to a child.

Under the Parental Leave Scheme, an eligible teacher may avail of Parental Leave in blocks of at least one week up to a maximum of 26 weeks in respect of each child up to the age of 13 years, or the age of 16 years in the case of a child with a disability and/or long-term illness. In certain circumstances, a teacher may avail of Parental Leave in the form of individual days where a child has particular medical problems that require the teacher’s attendance with the child at a hospital, clinic or therapeutic appointment on a regular basis.