More dads taking two-week paternity benefit
There has been an uptake of paternity benefit by dads.
More than 50,000 men have availed of the two-week payment since its introduction in September 2016.
New government figures show this includes some 4,100 self-employed people.
It covers those who are on paternity leave from work and who are covered by PRSI.
Welcoming the uptake, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty said: "I am delighted that working parents, both employees and self-employed, are availing of their PRSI to get two weeks paid Paternity Benefit following the birth or adoption of their baby.
"The Government recognises the importance of providing support for parents of young children and is very much aware that the first year in a child’s life is of particular importance. This is very much emphasised in the programme for Government.
"I was particularly pleased to secure a new Parental Benefit scheme which will allow both parents to access additional paid Parental Leave in the first year of their child’s life. This means that both parents will have access to an additional two weeks each of Parental Benefit, which will also be paid at the rate of €245 per week."
