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Parental Leave

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2021

Thursday, 4 February 2021

Questions (139)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

139. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider certain professions, such as teachers, that are currently on maternity leave when legislating for the additional parental leave and that they might not be able to take the extra leave once returned to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6063/21]

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Written answers

The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced a significant extension to the existing parental leave entitlements, raising the age of the child for whom parental leave may be taken from eight years to twelve. It also extended the parental leave entitlement by 8 weeks, on a phased basis. The last of these increases came into effect on 1 September 2020 and parents are now entitled to 26 weeks leave in total.  

Mindful of the recent significant increase in parental leave entitlements, the Government has no plans to make any further amendments to this leave.

Furthermore, the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent’s 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 parent’s 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 give effect to these proposals and it is anticipated that the legislation will be introduced in early 2021. 

As parent's leave is designed to support the needs of the eligible child, it does not differentiate between different types of employees.  There are no plans to create differentiation between employees in terms of the leave provided to parents to care for their children.    

The terms and conditions of employment of teachers more broadly are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education.   

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