‘Enhanced’ parental leave part of family aid reforms

A raft of new proposals to “enhance” parental leave, extend free pre-school education, and “reform” State aid to young families are expected to be announced by the Government today.

The issues, which will form part of a series of multi-year proposals to overhaul the current Early Years Support Service, will be outlined in a 120-page report published by Children’s Minister Dr James Reilly.

Under the proposals, it is expected that parental leave will be enhanced, with previous suggestions this will include doubling the amount of time off a woman can take after giving birth, plus the provision of extra weeks off if the time is shared with a partner.