Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

166. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the dates for extension of paid parental leave and of unpaid parental leave over the next fifteen months. [29173/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Parent's leave and benefit is currently payable for two weeks to both parents, including those who adopt a child, who are employees or self-employed and who take parent’s leave from their employment to care for their child. This is in addition to existing maternity, paternity and adoptive leave and benefit entitlements. In line with a Government decision in July 2020, officials of my Department is currently examining the possible extension of parent's benefit from two weeks to five and the possible extension of the period in which the leave can be taken for parents.

Parents are entitled to take unpaid parental leave from work to spend time looking after their children. Up to 26 weeks’ parental leave is available for each eligible child before their 12th birthday. Prior to 1st September 2020, parental leave was 22 weeks for each eligible child.

I trust this clarifies the matter.