Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021
188. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is planned to introduce the increase in parental leave from two to five weeks promised in Budget 2021; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4844/21]
View answer189. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the promised legislation which will extend parent’s leave from two to five weeks in addition to the development of the information technology system to process the benefit; when this extension of parent’s leave will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4867/21]
View answer190. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of enacting legislation to increase paid parent’s leave from two to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 November 2019; the steps he is taking to bring forth this legislation quickly; if there is an expected timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4968/21]
View answer191. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date by which the parent's leave and benefit announced in the budget will be introduced. [4976/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, together.
The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid Parents' Leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Legislation is currently being developed to provide for the additional weeks of Parents' Leave and it is anticipated that the legislation will be introduced in early 2021.Payment of Parents’ Benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection, and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made. As a result, the estimated timescale for the necessary updates being put in place is April 2021.
