Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. There is a real issue with awareness and we need to have a concerted awareness campaign. Fathers simply do not know that they are entitled to take this leave.

In regard to increasing the rate of payment, we know the projected child benefit payment this year is actually going to be down €320 million on what was paid last year. We should be looking at supporting families, particularly around payments for family leave. The is money there. We are going to be down €320 million on child benefit last year and I think we should look at increasing the rate at which we are paying for family leave.

The Minister might give us an update as to whether that has been costed or looked at.

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