Number of people claiming parent's leave increases almost five-fold

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys welcomed the increasing numbers accessing the support

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys: 'I want to encourage both mothers and fathers to take time off work and spend time with their newborn babies at what is a very special time for any family.' File picture: Julien Behal Photography/PA 

The number of people who received parent’s benefit between April and June was almost five times higher than during the same period last year, the Department of Social Protection has said.

The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent’s leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.