14/10/2015

Two Weeks Paid Paternity Leaves Announced In Budget

Two weeks of paid paternity leave are to be introduced under the newly announced Budget 2016.

Welcoming the news, Minister of State Equality Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said: "I have always believed that a core part of the Equality Agenda needed to address the imbalance in paternity leave structures. This is why I am delighted today to see a commitment to introduce 2 weeks paid paternity leave as part of the budgetary process.

"Over the last several months I have been working on the Family Leave Bill which aims to consolidate all of the existing pieces of legislation relating to Family Leave. This Bill can now allow for the addition of paid leave for fathers of newborn children. 

"When passed and enacted, it will give the legislative basis for paid paternity leave, recognising the special time for parents upon the birth of their child. 

"I want to commend the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for her work on delivering this vital payment and securing the support from her Department for its administration.

"I believe that this is one of many measures in today’s budget, alongside the additional funding for preschool education, which will help young families across the state."

(MH)

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