Locations
On 26 January 2016 it was announced that the Government has approved proposals to introduce 2 weeks’ paternity leave from September 2016.
The 2 weeks’ leave will be accompanied by a social welfare benefit on the same lines as maternity leave which is currently €230 per week. The leave must be taken within 26 weeks of the birth.
Many employers, particularly larger private sector companies, choose to pay full pay during maternity leave. Employers will now need to decide whether they will also choose to pay full pay to fathers taking paternity leave and whether, if they decide not to, any claims for discrimination may arise.
With Ireland being only one of nine European countries that does not currently provide a statutory entitlement to paid paternity leave, the proposed changes are welcome. However, some commentators believe that the Government could have gone even further by permitting mothers to share a portion of their paid maternity leave with their partners, as is the case in the UK, allowing families more choice over how they look after their children.
For further information or advice on this matter please contact Julie Austin at jaustin@mcdowellpurcell.ie or at (01) 828 0656.