Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
38. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parental leave will be expanded in 2022; if the leave will be granted retrospectively; the full entitlement to the leave ultimately and the timeline for the implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15456/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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).
A date for the commencement of the extension is not yet available as the practical arrangements for the payment of Parent's Benefit are being finalised with the Department of Social Protection.
