Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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66. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the progress of legislation to increase the level of paid parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26891/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that as part of Budget 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a new social insurance-based paid parental benefit scheme. This new scheme will support parents during the first year of the child's life by providing two weeks of paid leave to both parents, and will allow parents more flexibility in achieving and managing a work life balance.

It is envisaged that the scheme will commence in late 2019 and will be available to parents in respect of all children born on or after the date of its implementation.

The conditions of eligibility for the scheme will be provided for in legislation which is currently being developed by my Department, in cooperation with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

I can advise the Deputy that work is well advanced on drafting the legislation, which will be brought to Government for approval shortly.