Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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94. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will progress the Family Leave Bill, given that young parents are anxious that the two weeks paid paternity leave will be introduced as promised in budget 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15523/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In Budget 2016, the outgoing Government approved the introduction of 2 weeks paternity leave and the associated social welfare paternity benefit as from September 2016. It was originally intended that these provisions would be progressed as part of the Family Leave Bill but they are now being progressed as a stand alone Bill to ensure that the leave is in place as from 30 September. I will publish the Paternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2016 shortly.

The Family Leave Bill, the aim of which is consolidate all family leave legislation (maternity, paternal, adoptive and carer’s leave) in one Act, will continue to be progressed as a longer-term project.