Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

'It's about a culture change': New welfare payment which could benefit up to 60,000 parents announced

Details of the Parental Leave scheme were announced this morning.

A NEW WELFARE payment which will benefit up to 60,000 new parents who are employed or self-employed is set to come into effect from November.

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty announced details of the Parental Leave scheme this morning.

Under the scheme, new parents will each receive two weeks’ paid leave at a rate of €245 per week in addition to existing entitlements such as Maternity and Paternity Leave.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection will pay the benefit, and individual employers can decide if they will provide a ‘top-up’ payment to the salary level of employees.

The benefit is non-transferable, a move designed to encourage more new fathers to stay at home with their children during the first twelve months after they are born.

The Government also intends to incrementally increase the benefit up to seven weeks’ leave by 2021.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is currently liaising with the Department of Justice to ensure new legislation is in place for introduction of the benefit in November.

Speaking about the scheme today, Doherty said it would give children the opportunity to spend more time with both parents during the first year of their lives.

She also said it would extend the leave benefits available to fathers, following the introduction of Paternity Leave.

“What we’re trying to do is have a culture change,” the Minister told Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1.

“Home rearing has become predominantly associated with women. We need to change that culture…

“It will affect the gender pay gap and it will affect the gender discrimination that occurs in the workplace.”

However, Neil McDonald of the Irish SME Association claimed that small businesses in particular would be hit by the introduction of the new benefit.

“The likelihood is they’re not going to be able to afford it,” he told the same programme.”

“Small enterprise is already losing power to the State sector and to foreign multinationals where wage levels are far higher.

“This is likely to present a great many of them with a real difficulty in meeting this entitlement.” 

However, Doherty said the payment was being introduced at a time of full employment in Ireland, adding that the largest cohort of unemployed people were over 55.

“If anybody wants to look for somebody who’s more mature, there’s plenty of people out there who are ready and available for work,” she said.

The Parental Leave and Benefit Bill, which will see the introduction of the payment, will also introduce new legislation to allow male same-sex couples to receive adoptive leave and benefits.

Close
58 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute conri
    Favourite conri
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:06 PM

    Get well soon Ceejay

    318
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy o'brien
    Favourite Paddy o'brien
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 11:48 PM

    This story proves that all we humanoids are really children

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán J. Troy
    Favourite Seán J. Troy
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:02 PM

    We need more of this in the world.

    307
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnneary
    Favourite Johnneary
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:47 PM
    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jenni
    Favourite jenni
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:11 PM

    Oh what a nice reason to smile..well done Garda Ceejay. Get well soon.

    228
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Ryan
    Favourite Mark Ryan
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:33 PM

    Beautiful tribute! Fair play to the Gardai and other police forces. It often goes unnoticed just how much charity work and work they do in their communities. And best of luck to young ceejay!

    169
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Girl
    Favourite The Girl
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:03 PM

    Keep fighting lil man and get well soon.

    163
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fear Uisce
    Favourite Fear Uisce
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:05 PM

    The future looks bright for the force. Get well soon little man

    162
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ken
    Favourite ken
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:09 PM

    Good man, Ceejay

    152
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick
    Favourite Patrick
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:08 PM

    Ceejay…hero! Get well little man

    144
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Mc
    Favourite Catherine Mc
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:18 PM

    Wiping away the tears how beautifully sweet, get well soon little man.

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal P Forde
    Favourite Cathal P Forde
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:34 PM

    This is a great article, great to know people around the world care. Get well Ceejay, you will make a great Garda

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Meehawwl O'Buachailla
    Favourite Meehawwl O'Buachailla
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:52 PM

    Ahh janey mackers….in such a cynical world these days some stories do melt your heart sometimes. Top work by all who sent him these messages. Get well soon Ceejay lad. :)

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:34 PM

    Well done Sargent Ceejay, get well soon.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jimmy Murphy
    Favourite Jimmy Murphy
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:46 PM

    Superb story. Best of luck young man.

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jenny Reid
    Favourite Jenny Reid
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 8:46 PM

    What a brave wee man x

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Murphy
    Favourite Mary Murphy
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 9:29 PM

    Well done to all the police family. Now Ceejay go kick some ass xx

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Daly
    Favourite Peter Daly
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 9:45 PM

    Best wishes Garda McArdle.
    Showing great bravery, like any great cop.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan O Reilly
    Favourite Alan O Reilly
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 9:37 PM

    Ah God,best of luck wee man.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Feb 23rd 2016, 10:53 PM

    Ceejay stay on patrol my man!

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry Campbell
    Favourite Gerry Campbell
    Report
    Feb 24th 2016, 1:01 PM

    Just brilliant , get well soon..

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel