Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2024
312. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason parents of twins and triplets only receive one entitlement to parent's benefit until the child attains the age of two, given that 130 days' parental leave is provided per child. [23639/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I have responsibility for Parent's Benefit which is associated with Parent's Leave, my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has responsibility for both Parent's Leave and the separate Parental Leave scheme, which is unpaid.
Parent’s Benefit is a payment for employed people, who are on Parent’s Leave from work, and self-employed people who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. Currently, seven weeks Parent's Leave and Benefit is available to all eligible parents. The leave and benefit must be availed of within two years of the child's birth or adoption.
In line with the EU Work-Life Balance Directive, and as provided for in Budget 2024, Parent’s Leave and Benefit will be increased by two weeks to nine weeks per parent from August 2024. When the current durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Benefit are combined this adds to 42 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family. This will increase to 46 weeks from August 2024.
In the case of multiple births, one period of Parent's Leave can be claimed by each eligible parent who may also be eligible for Parent's Benefit during that period. This is in line with Maternity and Paternity Leave and Benefit schemes.
Parents of twins or other multiple births receive additional support through the Child Benefit scheme. The standard rate of Child Benefit is €140 per month. Twins are paid at one and a half times (150%) the standard monthly rate for each child, that is €210 per month for each twin. All other multiple births are paid at double (200%) the standard monthly rate for each child, that is €280 per child. Estimated expenditure on Child Benefit in 2024 will be in excess of €2.1 billion.
Any decision to further extend the period of Parent’s Leave for employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders. Any further extension of Parent's Benefit would have cost implications and could only be considered in a Budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
