Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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959. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of extending paternity benefit by two weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30687/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Paternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Paternity Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. It is currently paid for two weeks at €289 per week.

Any decision to extend the period of Paternity Leave for employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality who has policy and legal responsibility for the scheme. An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The cost of extending Paternity Benefit by 2 weeks, from 2 weeks to 4 weeks at the current rate of €289 would result in an additional annual cost of over €16.4 million with a new total annual cost of some €32.8 million.

These estimates are based on a costing exercise using the 2025 expenditure estimate of €16.4 million. It should be noted that this costing is based on estimated recipient numbers and is subject to change.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.