From September, new dads will have the option to take 2 weeks paid paternity leave.
Fathers taking the 2 weeks leave will be eligible for a social welfare payment, in line with maternity leave.
Dads will get €230 a week during the time they are off work, which is similar to the maternity benefit that mums already receive.
The new laws will also allow dads to take their leave at any stage, within 26 weeks of the birth.
The move is seen as a huge step forward is recognising the needs of modern families in Ireland.
Up until now, Ireland has been behind the majority of European counties when it comes to parental leave.
New dads usually have had to use up their annual leave when their babies are born which is up to the discretion of their employers.
