James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider extending social welfare benefits to surrogate parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33201/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My colleague the Minister for Health has lead responsibility for the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024. This legislation encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in this jurisdiction, including domestic altruistic surrogacy. It also provides for the regulation of future surrogacy arrangements undertaken by Irish residents in other jurisdictions. In addition, the legislation allows for the recognition of parentage arising from past domestic and international surrogacy arrangements.My Department is responsible for the administration and payment of a range of benefits that support parents of newborn and young babies. Entitlement to these benefits follows on from employees having an entitlement to the corresponding leave. The legislation governing the different forms of leave is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.The Programme for Government includes a commitment to the introduction of paid surrogacy leave. Officials from my Department, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the Department of Health are in discussions in relation to the possible implications arising from the surrogacy provisions in the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024.I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.