James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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344. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine and increase in parental leave in the near future (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18815/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced an individual leave and benefit entitlement for parents of a child in their earliest years. This entitlement has been increased in recent years and is now seven weeks for each parent to be taken within the first two years of the child's life.

This leave is in addition to Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave entitlements, which currently stand at 26 weeks and 2 weeks with the associated benefit. An additional 16 weeks unpaid Maternity Leave can also be taken.

The payment of Parent's Benefit and the level of the payment are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. Budget Year 2023 directs that these benefits pay a weekly rate of €262.00, an increase from €250.00 in Budget Year 2022.

Therefore, a mother would be entitled to a combined total of 33 weeks of paid Maternity and Parent's Benefit, at €262.00 per week. (€8,646.00).

The further combined entitlement of 9 weeks of Paternity and Parents Benefit at €262.00 per week (€2,358.00) would be available to the other parent.

Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of working parents.