Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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645. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who have availed of parents benefit in each county; the number of mothers and fathers who have availed of parent's benefit in each county, in tabular form; his views on the further steps that can be taken to encourage greater uptake of parent's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51716/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Parent’s Benefit is available in respect of any child born or placed with their adoptive parents from 1 November 2019. Parent’s Benefit provides nine weeks payment to each parent of a child aged under two years, or in the two years following an adoption, who is on Parent’s Leave from work to care for their child and covered by social insurance (PRSI).

In Q2 2025, a total of 29,352 people received a Parents Benefit Payment. Of these, 36% were male and 64% were female. The breakdown by county is provided in Table 1 below. Further information can be found in the Quarterly Statistical Report, and accompanying open data, published by my Department through gov.ie/dsp/statistics.

Table 1: Recipients of Parents Benefit in Q2 2025, by county and sex

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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646. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the plans to introduce pay related parents benefit; the estimated cost for the first 12 months for this extension if it was modelled on the same payment rates which apply to jobseekers pay related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51717/25]

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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657. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the levels of maternity benefit and maternity leave, paternity benefit and leave, parental benefit and parental leave which will apply during 2026; and if there are any anticipated changes in any of these due to take place during 2026. [51897/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 646 and 657 together.

Responsibility for the policy around the period of Maternity, Paternity, Parent’s or Parental Leave for employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. An extension of these leaves would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

My Department has responsibility for the associated payment of benefits.

These schemes are generally payable at the weekly rate of 289 euro. Any potential changes to payment rates of Maternity, Paternity or Parent's Benefit may be considered as part of the general budget discussions in the context of overall social welfare supports.

The Programme for Government includes commitments to examine the extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit and additional flexibilities and to introduce Pay-Related Parent’s Benefit and explore other payments where a similar model could be applied. Work is ongoing within my Department to examine potential models for a Pay-Related Parent’s Benefit.