Carer's Leave allows employees to leave their employment temporarily to provide full-time care for someone in need of full-time care and attention.

Carer’s Leave is unpaid. The benefit to you is that your employer must hold your position open for you to return to at the end of your leave period.

You are entitled to take Carer’s Leave of a minimum of 13 weeks up to a maximum of 104 weeks. If you ask to take less than 13 weeks’ Carer’s Leave, your employer may refuse your request.

At least 6 weeks before you propose to take Carer’s Leave from employment, you must make a formal application to your employer for this leave.

While on Carer’s Leave, you may be entitled to Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance.

To be entitled to  Carer's Leave you must have worked for your employer for a continuous period of  at least 12 months.

The person you will be caring for, must be deemed to be in need of full-time care and attention.

If the person you are caring for is under the age of 16 and in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance, the medical portion of the relevant form need not be filled.

You can work for up to 18.5 hours a week while you are on Carer’s Leave provided your income from employment or self-employment is less than a weekly income limit of €332.50 - (after deductions). (The hours limit increased from 15 to 18.5 hours in January 2020)

For full details on rules and rates for Carer’s Leave link to  Citizens Information.