Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will consider bringing forward the date upon which families can avail of the additional three weeks parents’ benefit announced in the Budget to 1 January 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32186/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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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 for a child born on or after 1 November 2019.

Legislation will be required to progress this commitment and work is now underway in my Department in this regard.  The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that Parent's Benefit will be payable from 1 April 2021.  Parents will be able to take Parent's Leave once the legislation is in place and to apply for the Parent's Benefit retrospectively.