Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of paternity benefit as applicable to employees in the Civil Service and public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37925/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 requires all employers, including public service employers, to grant paternity leave to employees.  As part of my responsibilities as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for the terms and conditions of employment of public servants.  However, specific policies relating to paternity leave or benefit in each of the sectors of the public service, other than the civil service, are dealt with by the appropriate responsible Minister.

In the Civil Service the arrangements for paternity leave are set out in a recent Circular 18/2016.  This provides for 2 weeks paternity leave, in accordance with the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016.  The Circular provides that this leave will be paid at the normal rate of pay.