2984. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any research ongoing into amending the allowances for parental leave for parents with multiple births (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61946/26]

2997. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures currently in place to support parents of twins, triplets and other multiple births through the maternity leave, paternity leave and parental leave system; whether the Government has examined the case for enhanced leave entitlements to reflect the additional care demands associated with multiple births; whether any legislative or policy changes are under consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62211/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2984 and 2997 together.

Significant improvements have been made in the entitlements to both paid and unpaid leaves in recent years, including by extending paid parent's leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their babies during their earliest years.

The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks after the return to work, which have been extended to two years following the birth of the child, through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Furthermore, since 20 November 2024, employees can postpone their maternity leave if they require ongoing treatment for a serious health condition as set out in the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024.

While the Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004 do not explicitly refer to multiple births, the entitlement arises from the pregnancy and confinement, which are treated as a single event, regardless of the number of children arising. This applies also to the unpaid leave.

The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child) with 2 weeks paid paternity leave. S.6(5) of the Act limits this entitlement in the case of multiple births to a single period of leave.

While the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 limits parent's leave to a single birth, since August 2024 the entitlement is nine weeks of paid leave for each relevant parent for each child, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.

Under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks of unpaid leave can be taken by an employee who is a relevant parent to take care of a child. S.7(3) of the Parental Leave Acts provides that the amount of parental leave in the case of more than one child is limited in a particular year, unless the children are of a multiple birth in which case this limit does not apply.

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and introduces important entitlements for workers, including leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers.

Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families and are also mindful of the impact of the leaves on workplaces.

The Programme for Government - Securing Ireland's Future-commits to examining the extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit and additional flexibilities. The new National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was published on the 18th of November 2025. The first Action Plan under the new Strategy was published on the 5th August 2026 and includes actions to support working families in balancing the competing demands of family and work. Any further changes to supports and family leave entitlements will be considered within this context.