Paternity leave changes in place from September 2016

Family leave legislation will be amended to allow for the introduction of two weeks’ paternity leave from September 2016, the Government has announced.

The Cabinet yesterday agreed the heads of the Family Leave Bill, which introduces paternity leave and paternity benefit for the first time.

The Department of Justice and Equality said it will progress the necessary amendments to social welfare legislation in co-operation with the Department of Social Protection.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “The introduction of paternity leave and paternity benefit will have a positive on gender equality. Ireland is one of the few European countries without such leave.

“Evidence shows that fathers want to spend time caring for and being with their children and families. Currently fathers use other existing leave arrangements to take time off around the birth of their child to support their families“.

Government minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin added: “The fact that this proposed paternity leave can be taken any time within a 26 week period of the birth of a child allow fathers to spend increased time with their children and families around the child’s birth.

“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.”