Government to agree to paternity leave changes

The Government is today expected to agree on the provisions of the Family Leave Bill, which consolidates family leave law and allows for paid leave for fathers of newborn children.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald will bring a memo to Cabinet to confirm proposals that were announced last year.

The proposed statutory paternity leave would be paid at a rate of €230 a week for up to two weeks, with fathers able to take the leave at any point within 26 weeks of the birth.

The proposals have already been backed by Tánaiste and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton.

Government minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said last year that the measure would “address the imbalance in paternity leave structures”.

He had added: “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.”