Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

498. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, in the light of the changing shape of the Irish family, her Department has plans to review the eligibility criteria for family-based social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24988/23]

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

The Government recognises the changing shape of the Irish family. The Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 amended the Adoptive Leave Act 1995 to enable adoptive couples to choose which parent may avail of adoptive leave and, in doing so, rectified an anomaly in the legislation that left married male same-sex couples unable to avail of Adoptive Leave.

The Act also removed the presumption that the adoptive mother be the primary caregiver and permits families to choose the best option for their family. It provides for the availability of Paternity Leave and Benefit to the parent who is not availing of Adoptive Leave.

My Department continually reviews its services and schemes to ensure they are meeting policy objectives, with any changes considered in an overall budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.