A new law that extends the unpaid leave parents can take from work comes into effect today.
The time parents can take off has increased from 18 to 22 working weeks.
From September 2020, that will increase further to 26 weeks.
Meanwhile, the age limit of the child the law applies to has also increased from eight years of age to 12.
HR group CIPD Ireland has advised businesses to be proactive in dealing with the new rules.
Director of CIPD Ireland, Mary Connaughton, said: “Businesses will be doing themselves a favour if they update and clarify their policy before they’re actually presented with a case to deal with.
"We would urge them to act now and be clear - that way everyone will know where they stand”.
The Department of Justice has previously said the changes will apply to those who've already taken the previous entitlement of 18 weeks - meaning they'll be able to avail of the extra weeks.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan suggested: "Both mothers and fathers may apply for this leave which I anticipate may be of particular benefit to parents that wish to take the unpaid leave when their children will be returning to school in September.”
