Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to extending the basic 26 week maternity leave for families with multiple births; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11811/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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There is no provision under current legislation for additional Maternity Leave in cases of multiple births, nor is such a provision being actively considered. As the Deputy will be aware, since 30 September 2016, new fathers can avail of two weeks' Paternity Leave and Benefit. This legislation, in addition to the existing payment of maternity benefit, means that the State now offers a total of 28 weeks of paid support to parents upon the birth of their child or children. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware of the Programme for a Partnership Government commitment to significantly increase parental leave in the first year of a child’s life over the next five years. It is my intention that this Government will be in a position to extend the provision of paid leave further in the years ahead subject to the resources becoming available and I intend to publish my proposals in that regard this year for inclusion in the Family Leave Bill. The Bill will also review all existing family leave legislation such as parental leave, carer's leave, maternity leave, and adoptive leave and consolidate this legislation into one Act.