Parents of adopted children have had the amount of work leave they are entitled to increased by two weeks to 16 weeks.
The announcement was made by junior minister for children Mr Brian Lenihan who was announcing the second stage of a public consultation on adoption.
"I welcome these amendments to adoptive leave, which will greatly enhance and strengthen the existing framework for adopting persons," Mr Lenihan said.
He said adoption legislation had been drafted 60 years ago "at a time when Irish society was very different in many ways from the society we live in today.
"I was also anxious that we take the opportunity to get the views of those most affected by the legislation so that we can plan better for the future and avoid the mistakes of the past," Mr Lenihan said.
On the first day of the consultation conference, delegates will discuss current adoption issues, including domestic and inter-country adoption. They will also discuss possible alternatives to adoption such as guardianship.
The second day will be devoted to discussing what information should be available to adopted people, natural parents and others affected by adoption.