The parents leave and benefit has been expanded from seven weeks to nine weeks.
Under the new legislation parents will be able to claim nine weeks of paid parental leave for children born on or after August 1, 2024.
The news was confirmed by Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan.
You can claim two weeks additional parental leave if your child is under the age of two on August 1 or if your adopted child has been placed in your family for less than two years on that date.
Deputy Flanagan said: “Fine Gael has increased parent’s leave to acknowledge the difficulties faced by families with young children.
“I introduced this leave in 2019 with an original bill published along with my colleagues David Stanton and MEP Regina Doherty.
“It has been incrementally increased since and Minister Heather Humphreys has worked to ensure parent’s leave has been expanded from two weeks to nine weeks per parent.
“This is a major support for so many families so they can better balance work with family commitments.
“This measure will be available to both mothers and fathers and will apply to all future parents.
“Parent’s benefits will also increase from seven weeks to nine weeks for each parent if they qualify. Parent’s benefit is paid while you are on parent’s leave from work if you have enough PRSI contributions.
“There is no doubt that such a measure will have a positive impact on life for all families across Laois/Offaly, especially those with newborn children.
“Evidence shows that children benefit from being cared for and spending time with their parents when they are very young.
“Parent’s leave also gives an opportunity for fathers to take this leave in addition to their 2-week paternity leave, to have a total of 11 weeks off to be involved in the earliest stages of their child’s development.”
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