Dr. Paul Redmond:

Yes. If the rate of paternity benefit is €250 weekly, then many people will not be able to take that leave. Therefore, this is one area that could potentially be targeted. I say that because when we talk about general parental leave, or even maternity leave, it is a bit more complicated, because it is not clear how an increase in those levels will impact on the gender wage gap. Research exists which shows that if maternity leave is increased it could have the opposite effect of that intended by extending the time women are outside of work. Therefore, it is the policies that target fathers and that try to address this division of labour that are important.