Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2023
206. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a definitive date by which a baby must be born in order for parents to avail of the additional two weeks of parental leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45655/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, seven weeks Parent's Leave and Benefit is available to all eligible parents of children born or adopted from 1 November 2019. The leave and benefit must be availed of within the first two years of the child’s life or adoption.
In Budget 2024, the Government provided for the number of weeks of Parent's Leave and Benefit available to eligible parents to be increased from seven weeks to nine weeks from August 2024. The additional two weeks leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under age two in August 2024 or, in the case of adoption, where less than two years have passed since the child's placement.
My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy and legal responsibility for Parent's Leave and his Department will lead on the extension of this leave. My Department is responsible for the associated changes to Parent's Benefit for the extended leave period.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
