Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action taken to date on the commitment in the programme for Government to examine the possibility of introducing a paternity benefit. [32174/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the commitment by Government and the Social Partners in Towards 2016 to review the level of statutory entitlements to maternity and paternity leave before the end of 2008. Work will commence shortly on this review. The Deputy may also note that the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government is, over the next five years, to increase paid maternity leave by five weeks, to make all leave after the first 26 weeks available to either parent and, to examine the possibility of introducing a statutory entitlement to paternity leave and shared parental leave.