Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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66. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of parents who availed of parents' leave in 2021; and when the extension of parents' leave from five to seven weeks will be introduced. [24227/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As you are aware, provision has been made in Budget 2022 to increase the number of weeks of Parent’s Leave and Benefit available to eligible parents from five weeks to seven weeks from July 2022. This will be introduced by way of Regulation as provided for under the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended). It has been decided that the additional two weeks' leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under the age of two in July 2022 (or adoptive children who have been with their parents for less than two years at that point).

Practical arrangements for the payment of Parent’s Benefit are being finalised with the Department of Social Protection and, once finalised, a date for the commencement of the extension will be announced.

The Department of Social Protection awarded 51,395 claims for Parent’s Benefit in 2021 to eligible persons. The number of persons availing of Parent's Leave may be greater than this number.