Proposals for paternity leave approved

The Government has approved proposals for the necessary legislative amendments to family leave legislation to allow for the introduction of two weeks paternity leave, as from September 2016.
The two weeks’ leave will be accompanied by a social welfare benefit on the same lines as maternity leave and the Department of Justice and Equality will also progress the necessary amendments to Social Welfare legislation in cooperation with the Department of Social Protection.

On making the announcement, Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald said: “The introduction of paternity leave and paternity benefit will have a positive on gender equality. Ireland is one of the few European countries without such leave. Evidence shows that fathers want to spend time caring for and being with their children and families. Currently fathers use other existing leave arrangements to take time off around the birth of their child to support their families.'
The announcement this week reflects the decision by the Government in Budget 2016 on the introduction of two weeks paternity leave.