Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020
280. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many parents face challenges in providing continuity of childcare for young babies; and if it is feasible to permit the extra three weeks of parental benefit to be taken now to help them overcome those challenges. [36050/20]
View answerParent’s Leave and Benefit will be extended from 2 weeks for each parent to 5 weeks as announced in Budget 2021. This extension will be made available retrospectively to parents in respect of children born or adopted on or after 1st November 2019. The period during which this leave can be taken will be extended from 12 to 24 months so it can be taken up to a child's second birthday or within two years following adoption.
There is a necessary lead-in time following the announcement of this extension to facilitate its implementation. First, legislative change is required by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth which has responsibility for parents leave policy. This will also include the necessary amendments to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) to provide the legislative basis for the extended payment of benefit. This legislation needs to be carefully prepared and drafted before being brought through the Oireachtas, given that it extends a statutory leave entitlement that, in addition to benefiting workers, has implications for employers.
In addition, significant changes are required to the Department's systems to administer this extension, including the provision of retrospective entitlement. This work needs to be undertaken in such a way that is does not compromise existing supports in an environment where there are unprecedented levels of demand on the Department’s services due to Covid-19.
The extra weeks of leave will be made available as soon as the necessary legislation which is being drafted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is enacted.
Once the new application and payment system goes live in April, my Department will then process and issue benefit payments - to include backdated payment of benefit as appropriate - in respect of Parents Leave taken from the date of enactment.
If the Deputy has any further queries, these should be directed to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
