Written answer
Paternity Leave
The Minister will consult on pay-related Parents’ Benefit, with detailed costings to follow; Paternity Benefit currently pays €299 weekly for two weeks.
783. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons who availed of paternity benefit for each of the years 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65629/26]
Comment on this
784. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if a costings analysis has been carried out on the increasing the level of paid paternity leave available in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65628/26]
Comment on this
787. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who availed of paternity benefit for each of the years 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65674/26]
Comment on this
788. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if a costings analysis has been done to increasing the level of paid paternity leave available in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65672/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 783, 784, 787 and 788 together.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has legal and policy responsibility for Paternity Leave. The Department of Social Protection is responsible for the payment of the associated benefit.
Paternity Benefit is paid for two weeks at the weekly rate of €299 to parents who meet the qualifying Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions and are on Paternity Leave from their employment.
Below are the number of recipients for Paternity Benefits from 2022 to June 2026.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing Pay-Related Parent's Benefit and exploring other payments where a similar model could be applied.
To progress this commitment, I intend to issue a public consultation document on a pay-related approach to Parents' Benefit, which will also help to inform decisions about other family related benefits. Experience from the Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit will also inform the thinking in any expansion of this approach to other social welfare schemes. A detailed costings analysis will be undertaken as the scheme design is developed.