merrion street

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar today marked Father’s Day by confirming publication of the Paternity Bill to provide fathers with two weeks of paternity leave and two weeks of paternity benefit.

The two Ministers visited Farmleigh today to promote the Bill to families.

When enacted, the legislation will allow new fathers to start the combined package of paternity leave and paternity benefit at any time within the first six months following birth.  It will also apply to the fathers of newly adopted children.

The Tánaiste said:

I have been a strong advocate for the necessity of paid paternity leave for many years. Consistent findings show that targeting investment in a child’s early years leads to better outcomes for both the child and wider society.
As a former Minister for Children I know how important it is for fathers to have the opportunity to be involved at the earliest stages of a child’s development. All evidence suggests that the support of both parents at an early stage is in the best interests of the child.

Minister Varadkar said:

The Department of Social Protection will provide paid paternity benefit of €230 per week for the two weeks of Paternity Leave. Employers will also have the option of providing a further top-up to the dad's regular salary if they so choose.
There is plenty of evidence showing the vital role that fathers as well as mothers play in the life of newborn babies and young children. The more time that fathers can spend with their babies the better.