Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
746. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans over the course of this Government to increase paid leave for new parents and the rate of payment they receive from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16694/26]
View answerSignificant improvements have been made in the entitlements to paid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during their earliest years. As the Deputy will be aware, the rate of benefit for Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive and Parents Leave is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with 26 weeks leave for which maternity benefit is paid at a rate of €299 per week, and 16 weeks additional unpaid leave, giving 42 weeks in total. Expectant mothers are entitled to this leave alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks after the return to work, which have been extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Maternity leave can now also be postponed in the case of serious illness, as set out in the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides leave of 2 weeks for the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child), for which paternity benefit is paid at a rate of €299 per week.
Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parent's are entitled to 9 weeks of leave, for which parent's benefit is paid at a rate of €289, for each relevant parent of children under 2 years.
A key priority in First 5, the whole of Government Strategy for babies, young children and their families (2019-2028) is to support parents to look after their babies at home for the whole of their first year given the benefits of parental care in that first year for children’s outcomes. 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 was launched November 2025, will consider ways to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work through its two dedicated Actions Plans, the first of which is due to be published in early 2026. The Programme for Government also includes commitments to introduce Pay-Related Parent’s Benefit and explore other payments where a similar model could be applied. Work is ongoing within the Department of Social Protection to examine potential models for a Pay-Related Parent’s Benefit.
