Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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101. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full year cost associated with the Programme for Partnership Government commitment to increase paid parental leave in the first year of a child's life. [24080/18]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy has referred to in their question, the Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to increase paid leave for parents during the first year of a child’s life, as research shows that parental care is of particular importance during this time.  The Government has established an interdepartmental working group to develop proposals to give effect to this commitment and I expect it to make its report in the next month.

In this context, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be pre-emptive of me to detail any costs outlined in the Report, as it is in the process of being finalised, the Government has not yet had sight of the Report and as such, has not yet had an opportunity to consider the proposals presented in the Report.