Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1482. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will widen the parental leave scheme from its current model, which allows for some of the leave to be transferred if both parents work for the same employer, to allow transfer between parents who work for different employers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58067/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1518. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the consideration that has been given to allowing parents to transfer their parental leave between employers. [58647/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1482 and 1518 together.

There have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years. The Government is committed to supporting workers, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their child during their earliest years.

Under the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019, an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks’ unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting 'in loco parentis’.

It should be noted that the legislation only sets out the minimum entitlement to parental leave. Depending on an individual’s contract of employment, they may have more extensive rights to parental leave, as employers have the option to offer more than the entitlement set out in the legislation.

Both parents have an equal, separate entitlement to parental leave. Where both parents work for the same employer and the employer agrees, one parent can transfer 14 weeks of their parental leave entitlement to the other parent.

Further measures have been taken to support working parents. As of August 2024, under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parents are entitled to nine weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 introduced further important entitlements for workers, including the right to request flexible working for parents and carers, and leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12.

Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families. Family leave entitlements are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces.

The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to examine the possible extension of parent's leave and benefit and additional flexibilities. The next National Strategy for Women and Girls, which is due to be launched in November, will consider ways to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work.