Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
335. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1068 of 26 April 2022, to the Minister for Social Protection, the current position regarding the necessary legislation which will give effect to the increase in parent's leave to seven weeks from July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21992/22]
View answerUnder the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended), working parents are entitled to five weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, as defined in the legislation, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
Provision has been made in Budget 2022 to increase the number of weeks of Parent’s Leave and Benefit available to eligible parents from five weeks to seven weeks from July 2022. This will be introduced by way of Regulation as provided for under the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended).
It has been decided that the additional two weeks' leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under the age of two in July 2022 (or adoptive children who have been with their parents for less than two years at that point).
Practical arrangements for the payment of Parent’s Benefit are being made with the Department of Social Protection, and when finalised a date for the commencement of the extension will be announced.
