Father's entitlements: What the new paternity leave means to families

Dads of newborn babies can now claim two week’s paternity leave. On Father’s Day, Helen O’Callaghan looks at the many benefits of the new scheme.

FATHERS haven’t stepped up in expected numbers to take paternity leave. Statutory paternity leave entitlements were introduced for the first time in Ireland on September 1, 2016.

New dads can take two weeks’ paternity leave in one continuous block any time in the 26 weeks following baby’s birth or adoption. Paternity benefit is €235 a week. Uptake is somewhere around 29%.