Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, we are going to increase parent's leave and benefit to seven weeks this year. I think parent's benefit, to which the question related, is very important. It is important for parents to be with their children in their most formative years. They need that quality time. It is not easy when parents are out working and both parents have to work these days. It is good that this support is available for parents.

To give the Deputy some statistics, 648 parents in her own county of Carlow received the parent's benefit, as did 1,193 parents in the neighbouring county of Kilkenny.

On the question about the children's allowance payment, which has a new name I have forgotten, I do not know the specific case about which the Deputy is talking. I am happy to hear about the individual case and I will take it up on the Deputy's behalf.

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