William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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875. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider increasing the number of days for parental leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61514/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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.

Presently, 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.