Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes

Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes

Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes is a new statutory leave entitlement. This is in addition to existing statutory entitlements to Carer’s Leave, and Force Majeure Leave and the non-statutory entitlement to Illness in Family Leave.

A teacher can apply for Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes to provide personal care or support for a serious medical reason to their:

• Child (including adopted child, step-child and child being cared for on the basis of 'in loco parentis')
• Spouse or civil partner
• Cohabitant
• Parent or grandparent
• Brother or sister
• Housemate (Person who resides in the same house as the teacher, other than those listed above)

Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes consists of one or more school days, but must not exceed a maximum of 5 school days in a consecutive 12 months.

Application Procedure

The approval of the employer must be sought for Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes.

An Application form for unpaid leave for medical care purposes should be completed and submitted to the employer, as soon as is reasonably practicable prior to or after availing of such leave. An employer may only accept an application for Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes at the time of the illness or injury.

The Application Form is located at Appendix A of Circular Letter 0050/2023.

The employer should satisfy themselves that, in the circumstances, an application for Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes is fully justified and can be granted. An employer may at their discretion, request supporting documentation, such as a medical letter to support the teacher’s application. The medical letter does not need to state the nature of the medical condition. It only needs to be a statement of fact that the person is, or was, in need of significant care or support for a serious medical reason.

Status during Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes

A teacher on Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes is deemed for all purposes to be in employment at that time with the exception of remuneration and superannuation. Unpaid Leave for Medical Care Purposes is fully reckonable for seniority and progression on the incremental salary scale.

For full details on Unpaid leave for Medical Care Purposes please refer to Circular Letter 0050/2023.