The take-up rates of baby-related leave by men is low with only around half of fathers availing of Paternity leave and a quarter taking Parent’s Leave compared to two-thirds of mothers.

That’s according to a new report by The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

Using a 10% sample of all births between 2019 and 2022, the report analyses the characteristics linked with the take-up of Paternity and Parent’s Benefit, as well as the duration of paid and unpaid Maternity Leave. The findings reveal that higher paid fathers, who are more likely to receive employer top-ups, were more likely to avail of Paternity Leave. Take-up was also higher for those working in larger companies where a replacement might be more readily available.

Paternity benefit is paid to fathers for two weeks and must be taken within six months of  the birth of a child.

Parent’s benefit is paid for up to nine weeks (increased from 7 seven weeks in 2024) is available separately for both parents and must be claimed in the two years following the birth of the child.