Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to backdate the three additional weeks parental leave when it is introduced for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6062/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Parental Leave is regulated by the Parental Leave Acts 1998 - 2019.  A teacher is currently entitled to up to a maximum of 26 weeks Parental Leave in respect of each child up to the age of 13 years or the age of 16 years in the case of a child with a disability and/or long-term illness.

Parent’s Leave is regulated by the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019.  A teacher, who is a relevant parent of a child born or adopted, on or after 1 November 2019, is currently entitled to 2 weeks Parent’s Leave.  This leave can be taken within 12 months from the date of birth of the child or in the case of adoption, the day of placement of the child.  Similar, to all leave applications, a teacher who wishes to apply for Parent’s Leave must apply to his/her employer in advance of the planned commencement date.

Changes to Parent’s Leave and Benefit were announced in Budget 2021.  My Department is awaiting the publication of legislation to reflect the detail of the increased Parent’s Leave entitlement.