Advocacy groups call for expansion of Irish paternity leave
The Irish government faces growing pressure to reform paternity leave policies, with advocacy groups and opposition politicians calling for extended, better-paid, and more flexible leave entitlements. Currently, the state provides two weeks of paternity leave and benefit to eligible employees, a duration that campaigners argue fails to meet the needs of modern working families and lags behind international standards.
Why are advocates calling for change?
The central argument for reform centers on the “use it or lose it” nature of current leave and the financial limitations of the state payment. According to a report by the [National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI)](https://www.nwci.ie/), the current two-week allocation is insufficient to allow for meaningful bonding or to alleviate the childcare burden typically placed on mothers.
Advocates point to the [Parent’s Leave and Benefit](https://www.gov.ie/en/service/55e37-parents-leave-and-benefit/) scheme, which provides nine weeks of paid leave to each parent, as a successful model that should be expanded upon. However, critics note that even with these combined schemes, Ireland ranks behind many European Union peers in terms of non-transferable, well-paid leave reserved exclusively for fathers. The [European Institute for Gender Equality](https://eige.europa.eu/) has previously highlighted that increasing the length of paternity leave is a proven mechanism to encourage more equitable sharing of caregiving responsibilities long-term.
How does the current Irish system compare to EU standards?
Ireland’s current statutory paternity benefit is set at a flat rate of €280 per week, which is significantly lower than the average weekly earnings for many full-time workers. This creates a financial barrier for families where the father is a primary earner, often resulting in leave going untaken.
| Feature | Current Irish Paternity Leave | EU Average (Reference) |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Duration | 2 weeks | 2–4 months (varies by country) |
| Payment Basis | Flat rate (€280/week) | Percentage of salary (varies) |
| Flexibility | Must be taken within 26 weeks | Often flexible up to child’s age 1-3 |
In contrast, countries like Spain and Sweden offer significantly longer, wage-related leave. According to [OECD Family Database](https://www.oecd.org/els/soc/PF2_1_Parental_leave_systems.pdf) statistics, nations that offer wage-replacement rates closer to 100% see much higher uptake rates among fathers compared to those offering fixed, low-level benefits.
What is the official government position?
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has stated that any changes to leave entitlements must be balanced against the sustainability of the [Social Insurance Fund](https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-social-protection/). Minister Roderic O’Gorman has previously signaled that while the government is committed to incremental improvements in family supports, fiscal constraints remain a primary consideration.
The [Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)](https://www.ictu.ie/) has countered that the economic benefits of increased paternity leave—including higher female labor market participation and improved child development outcomes—outweigh the immediate cost of the benefit.
What happens next for working parents?
For now, the statutory entitlement remains at two weeks. The debate is expected to feature prominently in upcoming budget negotiations and general election manifestos. Parents seeking information on current entitlements can access the [Citizens Information](https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth-family-relationships/after-your-baby-is-born/paternity-leave/) portal, which provides updated guidance on eligibility and application procedures.
Future policy shifts will likely focus on two specific areas:
* Duration: Extending the total weeks available to match the increasing duration of Parent’s Leave.
* Payment: Moving toward a wage-related payment model rather than a flat, capped benefit.
Legislative changes would require an amendment to the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016, a process that relies on the government prioritizing family leave as a core pillar of social infrastructure.