Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1076. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of late applications for parent's benefit since its introduction; the number of appeals based on refusal for parent's benefit by her Department; the number of successful appeals for the payment of parent's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28901/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed to the continued support of working parents to achieve a better work-life balance.  Parent’s Leave and Benefit falls into this category and encourages the sharing of parental responsibilities equally between couples. 

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parent’s Leave for each parent of a child born or adopted after 1 November 2019. 

In Budget 2021, this Leave increased from 2 weeks to 5 weeks.  Since these changes came into effect in April 2021, my Department has awarded Parent’s Benefit to some 56,000 parents at a cost of almost €51 million

Parent’s Benefit is paid at a weekly flat rate of €250 for five weeks to employed and self-employed people who avail of parents leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution and other conditions.  The rate of Parent’s Benefit is the same as the rates of Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Maternity benefit.

A total of 51,400 applications for Parent’s Benefit were awarded in 2021 compared to 16,700 in 2020. Since the start of 2022, the total applications awarded to the end of May stands at almost 26,000. 

The primary legislative provisions governing Parent’s Benefit claims and late claims are set out in Chapter 1 of Part 7 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations (S.I. No. 142 of 2007) as amended.

There is a requirement under legislation that persons must claim their entitlements within a specific period from the date their entitlement arises.  This period is referred to as the 'prescribed time' and is set at six months for applications for Parent’s Benefit.

Since the introduction of the scheme, my Department has received a total of 176 claims which were received outside the 6-month prescribed time limit for Parent’s Benefit applications.

My Department has received 13 Appeals based on the refusal to award Parent’s Benefit.  Of these, 7 decisions were upheld, and 6 appeals are currently pending a decision.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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1077. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the legislative provision prescribing the time limit for the application for parent's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28902/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government has committed to the continued support of working parents to achieve a better work-life balance.  Parent’s Leave and Benefit falls into this category and encourages the sharing of parental responsibilities equally between couples. 

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parent’s Leave for each parent of a child born or adopted after 1 November 2019. 

In Budget 2021, this leave increased from 2 weeks to 5 weeks and an increase to 7 weeks was announced in Budget 2022.

The primary legislative provisions governing claims and late claims submitted to my Department are set out in Sections 241, 342, 342A and Part 9, Chapter 1 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. 

The main regulatory provisions with regard to governing Parent’s Benefit claims and late claims are contained in Chapter 1 of Part 7 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations (S.I. No. 142 of 2007) as amended. 

Claimants must complete and sign the appropriate application form and ensure that it is submitted to the relevant section of the Department within a specified period of becoming entitled to the payment.  This period is usually referred to as 'the prescribed time', which is set at six months for applications for Parent’s Benefit. 

All decisions with regard to entitlement under these provisions are made by deciding officers, and can therefore be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). 

Provision is made in the legislation to allow payment within certain limits where there was `good cause' for the late claim.  'Good cause' must be assessed by Deciding Officers by the application of common-sense principles to the contentions put forward by the applicant, and by the evaluation of the evidence available to support those contentions.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.