Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
18. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers availing of parent’s leave and parent’s benefit since the extension was announced on 1 April 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48653/21]
View answerThe Government has committed to the continued support of working parents to achieve a better work-life balance. Parent’s Leave and Benefit falls into this category and encourages the sharing of parental responsibilities equally between couples. Parent’s benefit is paid at a weekly flat rate of €245 for five weeks to employed and self-employed people who avail of parents leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution and other conditions. The rate of parent’s benefit is the same as the rates of paternity benefit, adoptive benefit and maternity benefit.I had the pleasure in Budget 2021 to extend parent's benefit from two to five weeks. Following that extension there has been a marked increase in the number of parents benefit claims awarded by my Department.The number of Parents who have applied for parents benefit between 1st April 2021 and 30th September 2021 is 30,570. The associated cost of the benefit in this period is some €23m. Since the start of this year, some 37,926 applications for Parent’s Benefit have been awarded compared to 15,729 for all of 2020.The Deputy will be aware that I also extended the period in which the leave can be taken, so that the 5 weeks can be taken by each parent within the first two years of the child's birth. The leave benefit can also be paid in separate weekly blocks or can be paid over a consecutive 5 week period.The changes introduced enhance the flexibility of the schemes to make it easier for parents to avail of parent’s leave and parents benefit, and contributes to an improved work life balance.
