John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress made on the introduction of an extra three weeks of parental benefit; and the timeframe for the change to apply. [18661/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 was enacted on 27^thMarch 2021, with a Commencement Order providing for the additional three weeks of Parents Leave and Benefit taking effect from 1 April 2021.

In preparation for this extension, my Department implemented the required system updates in advance so as to be in a position to begin processing applications immediately. Parents Benefit applications are processed in order of the date of commencement of the Parents Leave. My Department is currently processing claims with a commencement date of 2nd May 2021.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.