Parental Leave

691. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the merits of amending the parental leave system to allow for greater time for parents of twins or other multiple births that would allow for greater supports to account for the additional challenges that these families face; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53552/26]

695. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration will be given to providing additional parental leave and benefit to parents who have twins, triplets or other multiples, to reflect the greater demands that having twins or triplets has on parents, both practically and financially; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53728/26]

107. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a primary school teacher can amend their application for parental leave, following an error made on the application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52134/26]

364. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first year and full year cost of expanding adoptive leave to 26-weeks. [46603/26]

382. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of extending the parent’s leave and benefit by one week. [46685/26]

384. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first year and full year cost of extending maternity benefit by an additional two weeks. [46720/26]

385. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first year and full year cost of extending parent's benefit by an additional two weeks. [46721/26]

1535. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in respect of parental leave for same-sex parents of children conceived abroad through non-commercial surrogacy, whether the non-natal parent can avail of parental leave notwithstanding that, as yet, they are not registered as the child’s parent on their birth certificate. [41490/26]

915. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to representations received from a constituent, the rationale behind parent's leave being allocated on a per pregnancy basis rather than per child; her views that this results in parents of twins or other multiple births receiving the same statutory parent's leave entitlement as parents of a single child; …

447. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the potential extension of paternity leave beyond the two weeks currently legislated for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33731/26]

14. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection in the context of the programme for Government commitment to examine the extension of parents’ leave and benefit, whether he will outline the current status of this examination; the options under consideration to extend the duration of parents’ leave and benefit beyond the current entitlement; when he expects to bring proposals to Go…

18. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection as part of the upcoming public consultation paper on pay-related parent's leave in Autumn 2026 to be led by his Department, if this will include specific consultation on other types of family leave and additional flexibilities such as the transferability of leave between parents, and extended leave for lone parents. [31456/26]

93. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the variance in corporate top-ups will be taken into consideration as part of the upcoming public consultation paper on pay-related parent’s leave. [31451/26]

1461. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the parental leave arrangements for teachers and special needs assistants to allow greater flexibility in the way in which leave may be taken, including shorter blocks than the current standard arrangement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26041/26]

1462. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for requiring parental leave for teachers and special needs assistants to be taken in fixed blocks rather than in a more flexible pattern that reflects the realities of modern family life and childcare needs; and whether reform is under consideration. [26042/26]

1463. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has examined the impact of current parental leave rules on the retention of teachers and special needs assistants, particularly parents of young children; and if she will publish any such analysis. [26043/26]

1464. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she accepts that the limited flexibility available under current parental leave arrangements places particular pressure on school staff with childcare responsibilities; and if she will outline any engagement her Department has had with unions or staff representatives on possible reforms. [26044/26]

455. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health whether under public service parental leave, a person who works in the HSE can transfer their parental leave to someone in An Garda Síochána. [23118/26]

403. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the difference between statutory parental leave and parental leave available to civil service workers; and who is entitled to enhanced parental leave as outlined by the National Shared Services. [21610/26]

667. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing paid paternity benefit from two weeks to eight weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21809/26]

674. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection as part of the upcoming public consultation paper on pay-related parent's leave in Autumn 2026 to be led by his Department, if this will include specific consultation on other types of family leave and additional flexibilities such as the transferability of leave between parents, and extended leave for lone parents. [21987/26]

807. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the proposal regarding parental leave, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21546/26]

349. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Social Protection whether there is any difference between statutory parental leave and parental leave within the Civil Service/semi-State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20986/26]

746. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans over the course of this Government to increase paid leave for new parents and the rate of payment they receive from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16694/26]

886. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail the work undergone by her Department to investigate and prepare for the introduction of paid surrogacy leave for parents; when it is intended to introduce surrogacy leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14571/26]