Menu
15/07/2016
Lessons Must Be Learned From European Mistakes On Paternity Leave Law
Ireland must learn from European mistakes to ensure fathers take up the opportunities offered by the new paternity leave laws, Fine Gael Senator, Neale Richmond, has said.
The Dublin Rathdown Senator made the comments during a Seanad debate on social protection.
"There are numerous examples across Europe where men do not avail of their rights to paternity leave and I do not want to see Ireland become yet another example of this," Senator Richmond said.
"In Germany only 20% of fathers take up the opportunity of paternity leave. In the Czech Republic, men are entitled to take as much parental leave as women are. However, despite this fact, men only represent 1.8% of parental leave-takers.
"The take-up rate among fathers in Estonia has been steadily increasing since 2008, when a new compensation scheme was introduced. Men accounted for 2% of the parental leave then. The latest data from 2013 still only showed a rate of 6.5%.
"In the Netherlands less than 10% of fathers took paternity leave in 2001, by 2013 this had noticeably increased to 24%. We must examine what they are doing in the Netherlands to improve the figures in recent years.
The Senator said that it is "really important" that men are encourage to use paternity leave in Ireland.
He added: "Very often women have to put their careers on hold or work part-time to take care of their children, while men continue to work full time and progress in their careers.
"Even when men have showed a genuine interest in taking parental leave, the lack of flexible and practical policies has made it next to impossible for some to combine it with their work-life balance.
"For many years Ireland has lagged behind most other European countries in the area of paternity leave and while I welcome the new legislation, and look forward to working on it in the Seanad, it will only be a success if new Dads actually make full use of it. Introducing the Leave in itself is not good enough and I am encouraged that Minister Varadkar has undertaken to compliment the new move with a public interest campaign informing Dads about the scheme and most importantly encouraging them to take part."
(MH/LM)
The Dublin Rathdown Senator made the comments during a Seanad debate on social protection.
"There are numerous examples across Europe where men do not avail of their rights to paternity leave and I do not want to see Ireland become yet another example of this," Senator Richmond said.
"In Germany only 20% of fathers take up the opportunity of paternity leave. In the Czech Republic, men are entitled to take as much parental leave as women are. However, despite this fact, men only represent 1.8% of parental leave-takers.
"The take-up rate among fathers in Estonia has been steadily increasing since 2008, when a new compensation scheme was introduced. Men accounted for 2% of the parental leave then. The latest data from 2013 still only showed a rate of 6.5%.
"In the Netherlands less than 10% of fathers took paternity leave in 2001, by 2013 this had noticeably increased to 24%. We must examine what they are doing in the Netherlands to improve the figures in recent years.
The Senator said that it is "really important" that men are encourage to use paternity leave in Ireland.
He added: "Very often women have to put their careers on hold or work part-time to take care of their children, while men continue to work full time and progress in their careers.
"Even when men have showed a genuine interest in taking parental leave, the lack of flexible and practical policies has made it next to impossible for some to combine it with their work-life balance.
"For many years Ireland has lagged behind most other European countries in the area of paternity leave and while I welcome the new legislation, and look forward to working on it in the Seanad, it will only be a success if new Dads actually make full use of it. Introducing the Leave in itself is not good enough and I am encouraged that Minister Varadkar has undertaken to compliment the new move with a public interest campaign informing Dads about the scheme and most importantly encouraging them to take part."
(MH/LM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 October 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.
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.
20 June 2016
Govt Publish New Paternity Bill
The government have marked Father's Day with the publication of the Paternity Bill, which will provide fathers with two weeks of paternity leave and two weeks of paternity benefit. The Bill was announced on Sunday, 19 June by the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.
Govt Publish New Paternity Bill
The government have marked Father's Day with the publication of the Paternity Bill, which will provide fathers with two weeks of paternity leave and two weeks of paternity benefit. The Bill was announced on Sunday, 19 June by the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.
10 August 2017
New And Expectant Fathers Urged To Apply For Paternity Leave
The Minister for Social Protection, Regina Doherty, has urged new and expectant fathers to apply for their two weeks paternity payment, offered by her department. Employed and self-employed fathers with the correct PRSI contributions are entitled to receive Paternity Benefit.
New And Expectant Fathers Urged To Apply For Paternity Leave
The Minister for Social Protection, Regina Doherty, has urged new and expectant fathers to apply for their two weeks paternity payment, offered by her department. Employed and self-employed fathers with the correct PRSI contributions are entitled to receive Paternity Benefit.
25 July 2019
New Bill Signed For Additional 4 Weeks Of Unpaid Parental Leave
A new Amendment to allow working parents to apply for an additional four weeks of unpaid parental leave has been signed by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan.
New Bill Signed For Additional 4 Weeks Of Unpaid Parental Leave
A new Amendment to allow working parents to apply for an additional four weeks of unpaid parental leave has been signed by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan.
22 June 2016
Dads Must Take Advantage Of Paternity Leave For Scheme To Work - FG
New dads must take advantage of the government's new paid paternity leave in order for the scheme to work, Fine Gael Senator for Dublin Rathdown, Neale Richmond, has said. "The Paternity Bill will be formally introduced to the Dáil this coming Friday and I look forward to it coming to the Seanad," Deputy Richmond said.
Dads Must Take Advantage Of Paternity Leave For Scheme To Work - FG
New dads must take advantage of the government's new paid paternity leave in order for the scheme to work, Fine Gael Senator for Dublin Rathdown, Neale Richmond, has said. "The Paternity Bill will be formally introduced to the Dáil this coming Friday and I look forward to it coming to the Seanad," Deputy Richmond said.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
