Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

697. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the latest figures for the take-up of paternity leave; and the average cost per claim. [42329/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Paternity Benefit is payable at €245 a week, for a maximum of two weeks.

Paternity Benefit is a payment to employed and self-employed people who:

- are on paternity leave from work

- meet the relevant social insurance conditions (PRSI)

It is available for any child born or adopted after 1st September 2016

If a person is already on certain social welfare payments, they may get half-rate Paternity Benefit. They will be paid for up to two weeks. A person can start paternity leave at any time within the first 26 weeks after the birth or adoption.

Paternity Benefit is available to same-sex couples.

The number of Paternity Benefit claims received in 2021 up to 27th Aug 2021 is 18,526.

The number of Paternity Benefit claims received in 2020 was 24,884.

The number of Paternity Benefit claims received in 2019 was 28,153.

The average payment per Paternity Benefit customer in 2021 (1st Jan to 27th Aug 2021) is €264.62.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

698. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her estimate for the cost of paternity leave over the next three years if existing duration of eligible claim continues; and the cost if the eligible period is increased by two weeks. [42330/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Paternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Paternity Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. It is paid for two weeks and is available in respect of any child born or adopted on or after 1 September 2016. Paternity Benefit is paid at €245 per week, the same rate as Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit.

A decision to extend the period of Paternity Leave for employees would have to be implemented by my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who has policy and legal responsibility for this area. An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The estimated full year cost of Paternity Benefit over the next three years for the existing duration of payment is €13.7 million per year. The estimated full year cost to extend Paternity Benefit by 2 weeks, which would double the existing duration to 4 weeks is approximately €13.7 million which would result in an annual expenditure on the scheme of approximately €27.4 million.

These estimates are based on a full year basis and on the estimated number of recipients in 2021. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients.

These estimates do not reflect any additional costs which may be incurred by employers who provide substitution or salary top-ups which, in the Civil and Public Sector, would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.