John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I start, I had better assure my Government colleagues that I have not joined the Opposition benches; it is just the seat I have been assigned.

I welcome the Minister to the House. It is the first time I have had the opportunity to engage with him on legislation and I join with others in complimenting him on bringing forward this Bill, which is going to have a positive and profound impact on many families and individuals who are fortunate enough to welcome a child into their care, be it through birth or adoption. As has been said by others, the legislation will provide for a welcome increase in the amount of paid parents' leave and benefit from two weeks to five. It will also make provision for male same-sex couples to avail of adoptive leave for the first time and will allow every couple to nominate a partner to avail of adoptive leave that is presently only available to the female partner within the couple.

While my wife and I do not have any kids, at least not yet anyway, many of my friends, colleagues and people with whom I have grown up do and there is no doubt in my mind that the last Government and this Government have been committed to trying to improve things in this area to ensure that children have the best possible start in life. It is important to pause and reflect on from where we have come. The changes that have been made in this area over the past number of years are positive. We now have two weeks' paternity leave, introduced in 2016, and which can be taken at any time in the first six months after birth or placement in the case of adoption. We have two weeks' parents' leave, which was introduced for both parents and is now being extended to five weeks as part of this Bill. We also have unpaid parental leave, which was extended from 22 to 26 weeks last September. That can be availed of until the 12th birthday of a child or 16th birthday in the case of a child with a disability. Extraordinary progress has been made, and not before time, but we cannot stop there. I know that we, as a Government, are not going to stop there but are going to continue to make strides in this area in the years ahead. I look forward to engaging with the Minister and other colleagues to improve the lot of individuals and families even further in the years ahead.

The pandemic has been an exceptionally difficult time for all, not least for couples and individuals who have had children.Restrictions placed in hospitals when mothers are having their children have been very difficult for many who have experienced it, particularly where there may have been Covid outbreaks in hospitals. There is also the issue of not having the support network and bubble of family and friends around them at what should be such a joyous time. It is only right and proper that it is being backdated to 1 November 2019. It is welcome that, as the Minister said in his opening address, the IT systems are being put in place to allow for these retrospective payments once the legislation comes into force.

Before I finish I want to comment on what Senator Bacik mentioned earlier with regard to the Bill being brought forward on leave in the case of miscarriage. It is something we need to make progress on as a Government. It is a very traumatic time for couples who are devastated by the loss of a child. I would like to see progress in this area. This is a very important and welcome Bill. It will have a profound and positive impact on so many families and I commend the Minister on his work in this area.