Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1000. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that parents of babies born through surrogacy are excluded from any type of paid parental leave such as maternity benefit or parent’s leave and benefit; if legislation will be amended to allow for these supports to be extended to parents who have children through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15057/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for the administration of a range of benefits that support parents of new born and young babies.  In all circumstances, entitlement to claim benefit follows on from having an entitlement to the corresponding leave and the legislation covering the different forms of leave are the responsibility of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.  Any question relating to leave entitlement should be directed to that Department.

However, I can confirm that all parents, including those whose babies have been born through surrogacy, have access to parents benefit and paternity benefit; subject to the grant of the corresponding leave by their employers.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.