Finally: paternity leave will give dads two weeks off work

 

 

Paternity leave is to become a reality from September of this year – and dads who avail of it will receive maternity-leave style social welfare payments.

The paternity leave is to be of two weeks’ duration, and can be taken any time within 26 weeks of the baby’s  birth.

Earlier today, Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Justice and Equality and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, New Communities, Culture and Drugs Strategy, announced the good news.

They revealed that the 2 weeks’ leave will be accompanied by a social welfare benefit on the same lines as maternity leave.

Minister Fitzgerald said the introduction of paternity leave and benefit will have a positive effect on gender equality.

“Evidence shows that fathers want to spend time caring for and being with their children and families,” she said, adding that currently fathers use other existing leave arrangements to take time off around the birth of their child to support their families.”
“Ireland is one of the few European countries without such leave,” she said.

Minister Ó Ríordáin said that evidence from countries such as Norway shows that paternity leave – aside from its social benefits and positive impact on fatherhood – promotes equality for women and supports higher levels of female participation in the labour force.