Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

It is not possible for the Department of Social and Family Affairs to move ahead without an entitlement being established. However, the establishment of an entitlement to statutory paternity leave comes under the remit of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That is why we are working together in the working group. The Government has always shown itself to be committed to parents. The provision in the programme for Government for an additional five weeks paternal leave to be available to either parent after the first 26 weeks indicates the importance we place on facilitating both parents in being actively involved in the rearing of their children.

However, entitlement to statutory paternity leave would first have to be established, after which a scheme would have to be devised to facilitate it. After that, questions arise as to how much it might cost and where the money would come from. All these issues are being considered by the working group, which is due to report by the end of the year. This process is being led by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform but my Department has a key role as the prospective administrator of any potential provision. I look forward to the working group's report.

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