Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

204. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review a request for extended parental leave for a family (details supplied) in view of the fact that the child was born a few hours before the cut-off of 1 November 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27468/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

When setting a date for the introduction of entitlements to family leaves, there are a number of factors for consideration in order to allow for an orderly transition. At the time of the launching of the Parent’s Leave and Benefit scheme, 1 November 2019 was considered the optimal choice to prevent a backlog of applications upon introduction, thereby creating unforeseen cost implications. Unfortunately, it is not possible to backdate entitlements for individual families as this would be inequitable to those families who do not qualify.

The Deputy may be aware, however, that the entitlement to (unpaid) parental leave was increased by a further four weeks from 1 September 2020.  Each parent is now entitled to 26 weeks of parental leave.