A Bill for paid paternity leave will be introduced to the Dáil this week. It will provide for two weeks paid paternity leave from September.
Fathers will be able to take two weeks of paternity leave and will receive two weeks of paternity benefit within the first six months after the birth of their baby. The paternity benefit of €230.00 per week will be paid by the Department of Social Protection and employers will be able to make a contribution to make up the balance to the father’s regular salary if they so wish.
Self-employed persons will also be able to benefit from paternity leave and paternity benefit.
This paternity benefit will be available to fathers of many adopted children and will apply to same sex couples. In the event of a stillbirth or death, the entitlement to paternity leave continues.
It is anticipated that this Bill will be made law some time in around July and will apply to births after the 1st of September 2016.
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