Family status

If you have parental responsibilities, caring responsibilities or experience pregnancy during your time at RCSI, please refer to our comprehensive policies on supports for parents, carers and staff experiencing pregnancy.

Maternity Matters

Maternity Matters is a workshop offered to all staff returning after maternity leave. The session focuses on practical techniques from positive psychology to balancing home and working lives.

Childcare

RCSI provides a subsidy and has an agreement in place with Giraffe Crèches (at its Dublin sites) for a limited number of childcare places for children of RCSI staff and registered full-time students in the Schools of Medicine (including Physician Associates programme), Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and students of the School of Postgraduate Studies studying full-time on a Research programme (i.e. MCh by Research, MSc by Research, MD and PhD). Please note this offer does not extend to Postgraduate Surgical or Emergency Medicine Trainees who are not in full-time education in RCSI. Giraffe develops and operates childcare and early learning centres for pre-school children from three months and upwards. Emergency care is also available when other care arrangements are temporarily unavailable.

Family facilities and events

RCSI is a breastfeeding-friendly campus, meaning that breastfeeding is welcome in any of the public areas. Breastfeeding facilities are available in a dedicated Parent’s Room in 123 St Stephen’s Green.

The RCSI Sports & Social Club offer a range of benefits and activities for members, including the annual Family Fun Day and Children’s Christmas Party.  

Work/life balance

RCSI is committed to creating a collegiate work environment that is conducive to quality work, study and the attainment of a healthy work-life balance. The internal RCSI Staff Portal has useful information on work-life balance in RCSI including resources on career breaks, flexible working options, university policies, and family-friendly facilities on campus.

In 2016, RCSI launched the INSPIRE programme which aims to promote the benefits of health and wellbeing to staff of the organisation. RCSI INSPIRE is based on four health pillars: physical, nutritional, mental and occupational health. This involves the amalgamation of existing exercise activities, with a number of new initiatives that will safeguard the overall health and wellbeing of RCSI staff in the workplace.

Parents and Carers Network 

The Parents and Carers Network offers a forum for working parents and carers to meet and discuss the challenges and opportunities they have experienced. In collaboration with the EDI Unit, the Network also organises talks and presentations on topics its members have an interest in learning about. To find out more contact equality@rcsi.ie.