Extension of parental leave discriminates against single parents, Dáil hears

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman claims the Government's 'hands are tied' due to EU law and cannot make leave transferrable between parents

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman said the Family Leave Bill 2021 could not make parental leave transferrable between parents due to EU law.

The Government's extension of parental leave discriminates against single parents, the Dáil has been told.

Cork North-Central TD Thomas Gould said  because two-parent families would be entitled to five weeks' parental leave each, children of single-parents would lose out on time with their parents.