O'Gorman announces extended parents' leave for mothers and fathers

Parents' leave will be extended to nine weeks, says Roderic O'Gorman, the children's minister.  File picture: Niall Carson

Parents' leave is to be extended to nine weeks for both fathers and mothers, Roderic O'Gorman, the children's minister, has promised.

Mr O'Gorman has said the mindset around the division of responsibility for caring for children must be changed and fathers need to become more involved, especially in the early years.