Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 10, line 14, to delete “30 September” and substitute “1 September”.

I propose to take amendments Nos. 7, 8, 25 and 26 together, given that they relate to the commencement of the paternity leave and benefit. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, have discussed the Department of Social Protection's readiness to begin benefit payments. They are satisfied that a commencement date for the leave and benefit of 1 September is achievable. The reason a commitment could not be given to a start date of 1 September before this is that there was a question mark over whether the complex operational arrangements required in the Department of Social Protection could be completed in time for September. This is why the Bill, as published, applies to births after 30 September 2016. The commencement date of 1 September is in line with the 2016 budget announcement of a two-week period of paternity leave and the associated social insurance-based benefit payment in the 2016 budget.

Any start date will, inevitably, leave some people on the wrong side of the line. We are sorry it is not possible to benefit babies born before September.

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However, there are approximately 200 births in Ireland every day. That is almost 6,000 babies that the Bill will provide for if these amendments are accepted and the potential cost to the Exchequer is covered in the Social Protection Vote.

Amendment No. 7 proposes to delete "30 September" and substitute "1 September" in respect of the qualifying date of the placement in the case of a child who is being adopted in respect of paternity leave.

Amendment No. 8 proposes to delete "30 September" and substitute "1 September" in respect of the qualifying date of confinement in respect of paternity leave. As well as carrying the necessary amendments through in respect of the commencement of paternity leave, Part 5, sections 30 and 31, need to be amended to ensure the same result for paternity benefit. If accepted, amendments Nos. 25 and 26 will achieve this outcome.

Amendment No. 7 proposes to delete "30 September" and substitute "1 September" in respect of the qualifying date of placement in the case of a child who is being adopted in respect of paternity benefit.

Amendment No. 8 proposes to delete "30 September" and substitute "1 September" in respect of the qualifying date of confinement in respect of paternity benefit.

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