Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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313. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to top up the additional three weeks parent's leave and benefit once it is rolled out in view of the fact that local authorities previously topped up the payment of €245 for existing provision of parental leave and benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12793/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to parent’s leave as parental leave is unpaid.

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of Parent’s Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. This is paid from the Social Insurance Fund at a rate of €245 per week. In relation to the additional three weeks that the Deputy refers to, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will be amending the 2019 Act to commence the extension of parent’s leave. The benefit will be paid at the same rate.