Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
313. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants for paternity leave to date; the number approved; the number declined; the reasons for being declined by reason, type and category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10518/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 143,437 applications have been received for Paternity Benefit to date up to end of January 2022, of which 138,020 have been approved, 1,671 have been withdrawn and 3,746 have been rejected or declined.
The general reasons for disallowance are as follows (noting that statistics for disallowance reason are not available):
- Late claim: Failure to apply for Paternity Benefit within six months of commencement of the leave may result in loss of benefit.
- Leave commencing outside 26 weeks: Paternity Leave must commence within 26 weeks of the child’s date of birth.
- Not in insurable employment: An employee must be in employment which is covered by the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 immediately before the first day of paternity leave.
- Insufficient contributions: An applicant must have sufficient contributions to qualify, details below:
- at least 39 weeks PRSI paid in the 12 months before the first day of the paternity leave
or
- at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and at least 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the Relevant Tax Year or in the year following the Relevant Tax Year
or
- at least 26 weeks PRSI paid in the Relevant Tax Year and at least 26 weeks PRSI paid in the Tax Year prior to the Relevant Tax Year
A self-employed claimant must:
- be self-employed in accordance with the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005, as amended
and
- have 52 qualifying PRSI contributions paid in the Relevant Tax Year
or
- have 52 qualifying contributions paid in the Tax Year prior to the Relevant Tax Year
or
- have 52 qualifying contributions paid in the Tax Year following to the Relevant Tax Year.
