Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2021
334. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of parents who availed of the original two weeks of parent’s benefit and leave; the number who then availed of the additional three weeks as of April 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35816/21]
View answerThe number of Parents benefit claims created from 1st April to 27th June 2021 was 15,391
By way of comparison, the total number of Parents benefit claims received for the months of April, May and June 2020 was 2,841.
It should be noted that while a claim may be awarded in one month, the leave and benefit could be availed of at a different time, or over a period of months, as it is available to use one week at a time. Since each week is a continuation of the same Parents Benefit claim a report on the number of individual weeks a parent has taken to date is not available.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
