Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Parental Leave

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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952. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will consider making changes to new parental leave arrangements announced in budget 2021 in order that the three-week extension would be rolled out immediately and that the three-week extension could be availed of at any stage up to the child’s second birthday and the leave would be transferable between parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33037/20]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic 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 both 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.

It is not intended that this leave be transferable between parents as the intention behind this leave is to encourage and facilitate both parents to spend time with their child in the earliest years, a crucial time for the child’s development.

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 may be able to take parent's leave once the legislation is in place and to apply for the parent's benefit retrospectively.

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