Written answers

Thursday, 7 October 2021

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Paternity Leave

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to encourage the take-up of paternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47977/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Under the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 (as amended), an employee who is a relevant parent in relation to a child is entitled to 2 weeks paid paternity leave to be taken in the first 6 months after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. A relevant parent in relation to a child means a person, other than the mother, who is the father of the child, the partner (spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) of the mother of the child, the parent of a donor-conceived child, or, the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the qualifying adopter of the child.

The intention of paternity leave is to support and encourage parents, particularly fathers, to play a role in supporting their child’s early development. Paternity Benefit is paid at an equivalent rate to Maternity, Adoptive and Parent’s benefits at €245 per week.

My Department is committed to ensuring that the provision of family leaves meets the needs of working parents and families. In keeping with my Department’s commitments under the Programme for Government, a public consultation on flexible working was recently undertaken which will inform the development of a new flexible working policy aimed at promoting better work-life balance for parents and those with caring responsibilities.

My Department is continuing to monitor the uptake of family leaves and will examine the need for further actions, as required.

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