Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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99. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date in 2019 from which parental leave will be paid under the budget forecasts; the number of persons expected to apply in 2019 and 2020; the full year cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46883/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce that 2 weeks paid parental benefit will be provided to both parents from late 2019 for the first year of a child’s life. This is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to prioritise additional paid parental leave in the first year.

The projected cost of 2 weeks paid leave for both parents is €32m in a full year. The following is the estimate of the costs and volume of recipients for 2019, 2020 and on a full year basis.

It should be noted that there will be associated public service pay costs involved covering substitution costs for front line staff primarily in the Health and Education sectors.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.