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Parental Leave

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Questions (750)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

750. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider the eligibility criteria for the extended parental leave to include all parents affected by the lockdown, even if their children are born outside of the specified dates, that is, before 1 November, particularly those parents who were due to return to work in the lockdown period but could not due to the fact that the crèches were still closed. [18594/20]

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Written answers

In recognition of the particular challenges that mothers and fathers have faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government is considering a proposal to advance the extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit to five weeks for all parents of children born after 1 November 2019, to enable every eligible parent of young children to spend additional time with their child.

At present, Parent’s Leave entitles each parent to two weeks of leave during the first year of a child’s life, or in the case of adoption, within one year of the placement of the child with the family.

The Government proposal would mean that eligible parents of children born during the pandemic crisis will get an extra three weeks of Parent’s Leave to offset the impact of having a child during the strict lockdown measures. The period in which Parent’s Leave can be taken will also be extended from one year to two years.  This, and related costs, will be considered as part of the Budget 2021 process.  The support is paid at a rate of €245 per week.

Parental leave is also available which entitles parents to take unpaid leave from work to spend time looking after their children. Parents can take up to 22 weeks of parental leave for each eligible child before their 12th birthday.

Questions Nos. 751 and 752 answered with Question No. 747.
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