Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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561. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the additional parental leave of three weeks will become effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7138/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid Parents' Leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Legislation is currently being developed in this regard and it is anticipated that it will be introduced in early 2021.

Payment of Parents’ Benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and arrangements are being made for it to be paid with effect from 1 April 2021.