How Can Employees Apply for Paternity Benefit in Ireland?

In Ireland, Paternity Benefit is a payment made to employed or self-employed people taking paternity leave. 

To apply for Paternity Benefit, employees must complete an online application on the government website or fill out a physical form and post it to the concerned department.

Employers play a crucial role in guiding their employees through the application process and ensuring they have the necessary documentation.

We’ll discuss the application process in detail and cover when employees should apply for Paternity Benefit.

How Can Your Employees Apply for Irish Paternity Benefit?

There are two ways your employees can apply for Paternity Benefit in Ireland:

A. Online Applications 

Employees can apply for Paternity Benefit online at mywelfare.ie if they have a verified MyGovID account and a Public Services Card linked to their mobile number.

On the website, they must complete the PB1 application form by answering a few questions and uploading the required supporting documents, such as the PB2 or PB3 form:

• PB2: This form is for employed individuals taking paternity leave. Employers must complete and certify the PB2 form (Employer Certificate for Paternity Benefit) in writing to support their employee's application.

• PB3: This form is for self-employed individuals. A doctor must complete the PB3 form (Medical Certificate for Paternity Benefit) to certify the child’s date of birth. 

Learn more about the Paternity Benefit Forms (PB1, PB2, PB3).  

B. Postal Applications

Your employees can also apply for Paternity Benefit via post by requesting and filling out a PB1 application form and the required supporting documents (PB2 or PB3). 

Employees can send the completed application to the Paternity Benefit section of the Department of Social Protection at the address below. They can also request application forms from this address.

Paternity Benefit Section

Department of Social Protection, 

McCarter's Road, 

Buncrana,

Donegal,

Ireland 

F93 CH79

When Should Your Employees Apply for Paternity Benefit in Ireland?

According to Ireland’s Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 regulations, employees must apply for Paternity Benefit at least four weeks before their two weeks of paternity leave.

They must provide you with proof of the expected leave date to receive paternity leave. 

Self-employed people have to apply at least 12 weeks before starting their period of paternity leave. 

These application windows are created so employees and self-employed people can receive their Paternity Benefit payment as soon as they stop working due to the child's birth. 

Applicants also have the option to postpone their entire Paternity Benefit for a maximum of 6 months by sending a letter to the DSP. However, postponement is possible only if: 

• Their baby is hospitalised.

• They fall ill before the start of paternity leave.

• The date of adoption or date of placement has changed. 

Who Can Apply for Paternity Benefit?

Paternity Benefit is a social welfare payment paid to the relevant parent (regardless of gender) who:

• Is employed or self-employed (a form of insurable employment). 

• Has a spouse/civil partner who’s due to give birth or has recently given birth. Alternatively, they could be adopting a child or have a spouse/civil partner who is adopting a child.

• Has enough consecutive weeks of PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) contributions. 

How to identify if your employee is a relevant parent?

The relevant parent is the father of the child, the spouse/civil partner of the mother, or the parent of a donor-conceived child. 

In the case of adoption, the spouse of the adoptive mother, the sole male adoptive parent, or the chosen parent in same-sex adoptive couples will be considered the relevant parent.

If it’s an intercountry adoption that took place outside the State, employees must produce a declaration of eligibility and suitability in relation to the child on the day of placement or the expected day of placement.

If your employees don’t meet the required PRSI conditions and were in insurable employment before becoming self-employed, they can use their PRSI contributions (Class A, E, and H) from that employment to qualify for Paternity Benefit.

5 FAQs on Irish Paternity Benefit Applications 

Below are the answers to some common questions about applying for Paternity Benefit: 

1. How Much Paternity Benefit Do Employees Get if Their Application Is Approved?

From January 2025 onwards, Paternity Benefit is paid at a standard weekly rate of €289. This rate will increase if your employees have dependants and meet additional requirements. 

The Paternity Benefit is usually paid directly into your bank or building society account. Employees can also opt to have it paid directly to you.  

Refer to our detailed guide on Paternity Benefit Payments so you can help your employees understand their entitlements.

2. Do Employees Pay Tax on Paternity Benefit in Ireland?

Paternity Benefit payments are subject to income tax. However, they’re exempt from PRSI contributions and Universal Social Charge.  

Revenue does not deduct the amount payable from the Paternity Benefit that employees receive. Instead, they make deductions from the employee’s tax credits and rate bands according to the tax they owe.

3. What Other Benefits Can Employees Access as Fathers?

Some of the other benefits your employees can apply for as the father of the child, alongside Paternity Benefit, include:

• Working Family Benefit 

• Back to Work Family Dividend 

The provision of these entitlements may exclude employees from receiving a dependant increase on their Paternity Benefit. 

Moreover, employees may only be entitled to half-rate Paternity Benefit if they are receiving any of these social welfare payments: 

• Widower's and Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension

• Widower's and Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension

• One-Parent Family Payment

• Death Benefit by way of Widow's/Widower's/Surviving Civil Partner's or Dependent Parents' Pension (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)

4. What Will Your Employees Be Asked When Applying for Paternity Benefit?

When filling out the application forms for Paternity Benefit, employees may be asked:

• Personal questions: These include questions about the employee, where they live, information about their dependants and children, bank account details, and civil status.

• Employment Questions: These include questions about their employment status, periods of unemployment, annual leave taken within a 12-month period, and planned parental leave from work.

• Spouse/Partner/Cohabitant Questions: This includes questions about the child's expectant mother (spouse/partner/cohabitant), their employment status, and the expectant child. 

5. Can Employees Get Paternity Benefit Following a Stillbirth or Miscarriage?

Yes, employees can apply for Paternity Benefit in such cases. They must include a letter from their doctor with the application form, clearly mentioning the expected date of birth, the actual date of birth, and the duration of the pregnancy.

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Paternity Benefit supports employees who require leave for a continuous period to look after their newborn children. 

However, employees also require robust private health insurance to consult doctors, receive check-ups, etc.

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