Burton plays down paternity leave

Tánaiste Joan Burton has played down suggestions that paid paternity leave could be introduced.

The Labour leader said that the measure would create significant costs for employers as well as for the exchequer.

Her comments come after Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, the junior justice minister, last month signalled that fathers could look forward to two weeks’ paid paternity leave.

Mr O’Riordain told RTÉ he was “confident” such leave would be introduced in the Family Leave Bill. This will put into one law maternity, adoptive, parental, and carer’s leave.

Ireland is one of nine European countries without entitlements to paid paternity leave.

Answering a parliamentary question this week, Ms Burton said: “The introduction of paid parental leave or paternity leave would have significant cost implications for employers, the exchequer, and the social insurance fund.”

Ms Burton said there was no provision for a social insurance payment for parental leave, but employees could be credited contributions for their welfare record for the period.

The Department of Justice said it was examining options including the sharing of maternity leave and a period of leave for fathers.

The department is also consulting with employers.

“These consultations will be completed shortly. We will then be in a position to submit proposals to Government including on the duration of any such leave and detailed costing.”

However, Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath said it was becoming clear that this could be another “sham” of a government promise.

“The government strategy since Christmas seems to have been to raise expectations across a wide range of issues from paid paternity leave, to pay increases and increased tax relief for landlords.

“When these claims are examined in more detail it becomes clear that there is little likelihood of them being implemented,” Mr McGrath said.