Gary Gannon
Question:478. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of one additional week of paternity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38053/21]
View answerTuesday, 13 July 2021
Questions (478)
Written answers
Paternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Paternity Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. It is paid for two weeks and is available in respect of any child born or adopted on or after 1 September 2016. Paternity Benefit is paid at €245 per week, the same rate as Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.
Any decision to extend the period of paternity leave for employees would be a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who has policy and legislative responsibility for this area.
The estimated cost of extending Paternity Benefit by 1 week is approximately €6.8 million. This estimate is based on a full year basis and on the estimated number of recipients in 2021. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients.
This estimate does not reflect any additional costs which may be incurred by employers who provide substitution or salary top-ups which would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.