Claire Kerrane
Question:382. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of extending the parent’s leave and benefit by one week. [46685/26]
View answerThursday, 18 June 2026
Questions (382)
Written answers
The Department for Children, Disability and Equality has policy and legal responsibility for family leaves, including Parent's Benefit, covering matters such as the duration of the leave. My Department has policy responsibility for the associated benefit, with a provision of over €123 million for 2026.
Parent's Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on Parent's Leave from work who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. It is currently paid for nine weeks per parent at €299 per week.
Extending Parent’s Benefit by one week per parent could result in an additional annual cost of over €13 million. It should be noted that these costings have been calculated using 2026 expenditure estimates. They are based on estimated recipient numbers and take up and are therefore subject to change.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.