Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

454. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will bring forward the implementation of the three-week extension of parent leave and benefit from 1 April 2021 for children born after 1 November 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31622/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Bill 2019 provides for two weeks of parent’s leave and benefit for all new parents in employment or self-employment in respect of children born or placed for adoption on or after 1 November 2019. This is to facilitate parents to spend more time with their children in their critical first year of life.

The Minister for Public Expenditure announced in Budget 2021 that he would extend Parent’s Benefit by a further three weeks for all children born or placed for adoption on or after 1 November 2019, and to extend the period in which this leave can be taken to two years. This means that each parent will be able to avail of 5 weeks paid Parent’s Leave.

Legislation will be required to progress this commitment and work is now underway in my Department in this regard.