Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their time and expertise. It is invaluable to have them here so we can tease out these issues. I wish to focus on one specific area contained in the opening statement. It concerns the level of wage replacement. What is the norm in other jurisdictions where parental leave is in place regarding employer obligations and the rate of State parental leave payments? It is currently set at a rate of €250 a week here. What impact does Professor Galligan see this having? Are there examples from other jurisdictions that we should be looking at in respect of best practice? I am sure Professor Galligan is familiar with the global gender gap report published in July which found that it would take us more than 130 years to reach gender parity. I note that some of the countries mentioned in respect of being the best performers in this area are countries this committee has heard being referred to before in this regard. I refer specifically to the Nordic countries, which seem to be doing good work in this area. Can Professor Galligan give us an example of the impact of parental leave and the parents benefit rate being set at €250 a week? Is there another jurisdiction that we should be looking to in respect of the best proven practice in this area?