Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
434. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if he plans to extend the basic 26 week maternity leave for families with multiple births; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10223/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice and Equality have responsibility for maternity leave which is provided for in the 1994 and 2004 Maternity Acts. Any decision to change the duration of maternity leave for families with multiple births would be the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for the payment of maternity benefit which is provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended). In 2017 it is estimated that my Department will spend approximately €266 million on maternity benefit, in respect of an average of 22,000 recipients per week.
As the Deputy will be aware the maternity leave legislation provides a 26 week period of statutory maternity leave. Subject to the provisions of social welfare legislation, the 26-week period of core statutory maternity leave attracts a social insurance payment of maternity benefit. A mother can take a further 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave which must be taken immediately after the end of her 26 weeks paid maternity benefit. This period is not covered by maternity benefit but a mother is entitled to a credited social insurance contribution for each week of unpaid leave that is taken (up to the maximum of 16).
Eligible parents can also avail of paid paternity leave at any time within the first 26 weeks following the birth or date of placement of the child. Paternity benefit is available for employed and self-employed people who are on paternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI) contributions. With the introduction of two weeks of paid paternity leave in addition to twenty-six weeks of paid maternity leave the State is offering parents potentially twenty-eight weeks of paid support.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government (PfG) to increase paid leave for parents for the first year of a child’s life. Work has commenced to explore the options available with discussions taking place between officials from the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Social Protection.
