Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when it is planned that parental leave will be extended to five weeks; if the legislation that is required to introduce it will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31786/20]

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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168. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will bring forward the implementation of the extension of the current two weeks parents leave to five weeks in order that many new mothers that gave birth during this pandemic can avail of the extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32049/20]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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195. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the additional three weeks parental leave announced in Budget 2021; if this is combined with the previous two weeks; the timeframe that parents have until this leave becomes unavailable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31974/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 168 and 195 together.

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 and Reform 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.