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Paternity Leave

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Questions (503)

Michael Collins

Question:

503. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if paternity leave for the first child has increased from two weeks to five weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40430/20]

View answer

Written answers

While there are no plans to extend Paternity Leave and Benefit beyond the existing duration of two weeks, fathers will be able to avail of the extension to Parent's Leave and Benefit from two weeks for each parent to five weeks, as provided for in Budget 2021. This extension will be made available retrospectively to parents in respect of all children born or adopted on or after 1st November 2019.

The extra weeks 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. I understand that the draft Heads of legislation are now at an advanced stage and are expected to be brought to Government shortly. The legislation will provide also for the necessary parallel changes required to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.

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 so 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.

Once the new application and payment system goes live in April 2021, my Department will process and issue benefit payments, to include backdated payment of benefit as appropriate, in respect of Parents Leave taken from the date of enactment.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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