New parents are to get two extra weeks paid leave during their baby’s first year from November.
Under new plans to be published today, all new parents in employment or self-employment will be entitled to the two-week scheme – which will be extended up to 7 weeks over the next three years.
The new benefit comes into effect in November and will be increased to 7 weeks leave by the year 2021.
The bill, which will benefit up to 60,000 parents a year, will also enable male same-sex couples to receive adoptive leave and benefit.
The Minister for Social Protection says the new parental leave scheme is non-transferable, meaning each parent will need to ‘use it or lose it’.
Minister Regina Doherty says it’s as important for dads to stay at home also.
