Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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883. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding parent’s leave benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31263/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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On April 1^st, Parent’s Leave and Benefit was extended from 2 weeks for each parent to 5 weeks as announced in Budget 2021. The period during which this leave can be taken was also extended from 12 to 24 months so it can be taken up to a child's second birthday or within two years following adoption. This allows working parents to spend more time with their children during these important and formative years.

New parents can apply for paternity and maternity benefits before the birth of their child based on the expected due date. Parent's Benefit differs in that it can be taken in individual periods of a week over a period of 24 months. Providing the child's PPSN ensures that the Department can accept an application for Parents Benefit without further documentation from the parent and enables the Department to ensure that a parent receives their full entitlement during the two-year period.

Once a birth is registered, the child’s PPSN is allocated later that day. A letter notifying the PPSN is then issued to parents by Revenue.My Department is currently working on an online registration service which will improve the processing of births registrations.

While it is recommended parents apply for Parents Benefit in advance were possible, Parents Benefit applications are prioritised in order of date of commencement of the Parents Leave. This ensures applicants are paid in a timely manner. A Parents Benefit application can also be submitted via MyWelfare where over 80% of applications that fulfil the eligibility criteria are auto awarded within minutes.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.