Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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610. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the parent’s leave which was promised in Budget 2021 will come into effect in April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11935/21]

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.

The drafting of the legislation needed to make this change is well advanced and it will be introduced at the earliest opportunity. The aim is that this legislation will be enacted by the beginning of April 2021.

Payment of Parents’ Benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.