Irish fathers look set to benefit from two weeks paid paternity leave

RobYourBuilder

EQUALITY MINISTER AODHÁN Ó Ríordáin has said he is confidence the provision of two weeks of paid paternity leave will be included in the Family Leave Bill, which is currently being drafted.

The bill will consolidate current provisions for maternity, adoptive, parental and carer’s leave into the one piece of legislation. Speaking to RTÉ’s Prime Time programme tonight, the junior minister said paternity leave in Ireland is “something we are well behind on”.

“Most European countries have statutory paternity leave. We don’t. I think an introduction of two weeks paid paternity leave would be welcome,” he said.

"I am as confident as I can be at this stage that there will be two weeks paid paternity leave in that legislation but there is no definite in Irish politics. Things can change and priorities can change but I know that I’m committed to it and I know that Minister Fitzgerald is committed to it and as I say it’s an important start to the conversation about what we want from Irish society for children for parents, for families."

http://www.thejournal.ie/paternity-leave-1893419-Jan2015/

A welcome development. Two weeks isn't an awful lot, but it's a start. I would propose six months(as the next step) parental leave which could be shared between the couple. So one partner could take all the six months, or they could split it three months each or however they wanted to break it down.

In Czech Republic, new parents can take anything from two to four years parental leave (rodičovská dovolená) between them. Support is proportionate to the length of leave that they decide on. Roughly, those on the two year plan can expect CZK 11,400 per month(roughly 1/2 the average monthly wage) while those opting for three years get CZK 7,600 per month. It drops a bit for the fourth(can't remember exact figures off the top of my head.

We should be looking to eventually introduce something similar.



 

helimachoptor

my company gives 2 weeks already.. hopefully this means 4

Señor Fancy Pants

Deadly, I'm going to get me some kids!

Banjo String

Half a loaf is better than no bread I suppose, in saying that I also got two weeks full pay for each of my kids when they were born, but in the grand scheme of things, it's Shag all time, you've not really bonded with the baby (not properly) and the wife was still in pain/exhausted especially with other kids to sort out as well as a new born.

Still, step in the right direction.

CarpeDiem85

Hopefully men can start having the babies soon too. Share the pain

thee glitz

Any ideas how long this may take to get passed?

CarpeDiem85

I have no issue with men getting paternity leave as long as it doesn't shorten the mothers maternity leave. I needed all the time I got and more to recover physically and emotionally from pregnancy, child birth and breastfeeding.

Slicemeister

CarpeDiem85 wrote: »

I have no issue with men getting paternity leave as long as it doesn't shorten the mothers maternity leave. I needed all the time I got and more to recover physically and emotionally from pregnancy, child birth and breastfeeding.

Unfortunately that's like something that could happen. I'd sooner let the mam use the allowance if needed than use it myself.

raze_them_all_

CarpeDiem85 wrote: »

Hopefully men can start having the babies soon too. Share the pain

And hopefully women start becoming the major breadwinners so men can use their wages to support the family and not the mans. Oh look at us both making stupid statements

Banjo String

thee glitz wrote: »

Any ideas how long this may take to get passed?

Averages out at about nine months.

CarpeDiem85

It's called tongue in cheek and darling I am the main breadwinner in my family! Just don't take from the mothers 26 weeks and I'll be happy.

thee glitz

Banjo String wrote: »

Averages out at about nine months.

I see what you did there but hopefully this will happen sooner.

hatrickpatrick

That it isn't equal is bullsh!t but regardless this is a great first step and a great day for mens' rights.
I strongly predict that the first objections to this will come from "Alive!" type Christian fundamentalist groups who object to anything which takes society out of the stone age :rolleyes:

Bipolar Joe

So far in the thread the only ones opposed to it are the ladies, who we all know, love their equality.

eeeee

They're not opposed just hoping it happens concurrent to their own maternity leave :rolleyes:

Happening as well as, as opposed to instead of.

AndonHandon

The reality is that the mother needs the leave from work more than the man. There is naturally an option for the father to take unpaid leave but this isn't too practical. I don't see why a father would need paid leave for anywhere near as long as the mother if he only needs to bond with it.

Venus In Furs

AndonHandon wrote: »

I don't see why a father would need paid leave for anywhere near as long as the mother if he only needs to bond with it.

Well even if not as long as the mother, certainly a lot longer than what's on offer at the moment IMO.
Definitely a lot more to it for him than just bonding.

Venus In Furs

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

So far in the thread the only ones opposed to it are the ladies, who we all know, love their equality.

"The ladies" being... one lady (CarpeDiem85) who isn't actually opposed to it?

eviltwin

AndonHandon wrote: »

The reality is that the mother needs the leave from work more than the man. There is naturally an option for the father to take unpaid leave but this isn't too practical. I don't see why a father would need paid leave for anywhere near as long as the mother if he only needs to bond with it.

I don't see it being a case of a mother being expected to go back to work after a few weeks so dad can stay home. Hopefully it will allow dad to take time off after the birth when he's really needed. The mother only needs time off to recover from the birth and to breastfeed. Plenty of self employed women or those in college go back and manage.

AndonHandon

Venus In Furs wrote: »

Well even if not as long as the mother, certainly a lot longer than what's on offer at the moment IMO.
Definitely a lot more to it for him than just bonding.

I'd rather he took more time unpaid leave then have taxpayers fund whatever he wants to do with the kid though I do agree with a bit more than 2 weeks on offer. Perhaps an option for the mother to give some of her allocation to him?

Venus In Furs

eviltwin wrote: »

I don't see it being a case of a mother being expected to go back to work after a few weeks so dad can stay home.

Same here. It's in addition to maternity leave isn't it? Both parents being at home for a good stint with a new baby would be heaven-sent to lots of parents I'd imagine.

anncoates

I want mine fcuking backdated.

AndonHandon

Venus In Furs wrote: »

Same here. It's in addition to maternity leave isn't it? Both parents being at home for a good stint with a new baby would be heaven-sent to lots of parents I'd imagine.

The dad certainly does not need a "good stint". 2 weeks of paid leave for having a child with a girl? Sounds good.

RobYourBuilder

porsche959 wrote: »

It is quite amusing to see one of the most right wing AH posters celebrate this.

You know that people can take different stances on different issues, right?

anncoates

AndonHandon wrote: »

I don't see why a father would need paid leave for anywhere near as long as the mother if he only needs to bond with it.

Absolutely, as that would be just gay.

Banjo String

Sweden ftw.

https://sweden.se/quickfact/parental-leave/#shortfact-parental-leave

FatherTed

So who actually pays for these paid maternity and paternity leaves? Say I own a company with 100 people and this year 5 women go on maternity leave and 2 guys go on this paternity leave. Does my company pay for their leave or is it the state?

anncoates

FatherTed wrote: »

So who actually pays for these paid maternity and paternity leaves? Say I own a company with 100 people and this year 5 women go on maternity leave and 2 guys go on this paternity leave. Does my company pay for their leave or is it the state?

Your company.

Apparently you have to give the lazy thieving bastards paid holidays, lunch breaks and workplace toilets as well.

RobYourBuilder

CarpeDiem85 wrote: »

Just don't take from the mothers 26 weeks and I'll be happy.

Maternal leave should be for recuperation and so the mother could provide the necessary immediate needs of the new born. Paternal leave would be an add on to that and divided between the couple as they deem fit.

I wasn't suggesting that your maternal leave would be touched, only that we should further expand on it and introduce paternal leave too.

syklops

FatherTed wrote: »

So who actually pays for these paid maternity and paternity leaves? Say I own a company with 100 people and this year 5 women go on maternity leave and 2 guys go on this paternity leave. Does my company pay for their leave or is it the state?

You clearly dont own a company of 100 people. Although some of the people I have worked for, maybe you do.

It surely comes out of their PRSI contributions over the past number of years?

Micky Dolenz

Ireland being a modern progressive country, it really is shocking the appalling way fathers are treated in the eyes of the law and state. What ever chance married dads have, unmarried dads are fcuked. It's disgraceful.

anncoates

syklops wrote: »

It surely comes out of their PRSI contributions over the past number of years?

Employers are not obliged to offer paid maternity leave. If they opt to, they can just pay the wage minus state maternity benefit.

Bipolar Joe

Venus In Furs wrote: »

"The ladies" being... one lady (CarpeDiem85) who isn't actually opposed to it?

http://www.a1gifts.co.uk/images/prodimages/SS1002L-2.jpg

Zaph

AndonHandon wrote: »

The dad certainly does not need a "good stint". 2 weeks of paid leave for having a child with a girl? Sounds good.

Whether or not the father needs the time off, it would certainly be beneficial to the mother having her partner around for some additional support in the early days. My sister in law had two caesareans and I know that her mobility was limited for some time after each. While my brother took as much time off as he could, an extra couple of weeks would have been a huge help.

kowloon

Make two separate things: Parental leave and pregnancy leave.

Smurph90

I actually cant believe that people are having issues with fathers getting time off. Some people just love a good moan

Samsgirl

They should have it or longer. I had two c sections & was immobile for up to 6 weeks after each.
The first time around I had the new baby to mind but the second time there was a 16mth old as well & new arrival.
There is also no driving for 6 weeks after c section - trips to the GP were required.
The first few weeks with a new baby are so crazy. Or our experiences were anyhow.

Hollister11

Farther should get a month or 2 paid maternity leave!

Venus In Furs

Smurph90 wrote: »

I actually cant believe that people are having issues with fathers getting time off. Some people just love a good moan

Their taxes etc.

Meh, worth it IMO. It benefits society, not just individuals.

macyard

Venus In Furs wrote: »

It benefits society, not just individuals.

How? Don't most just dump the kids in crèches and childminders once they hit a year old anyway.

Really we don't care about our kids anymore let someone else look after them seems to be the motto

steddyeddy

AndonHandon wrote: »

I'd rather he took more time unpaid leave then have taxpayers fund whatever he wants to do with the kid though I do agree with a bit more than 2 weeks on offer. Perhaps an option for the mother to give some of her allocation to him?

Equality shouldn't be optional.

steddyeddy

kowloon wrote: »

Make two separate things: Parental leave and pregnancy leave.

Very good idea.

anncoates

macyard wrote: »

How? Don't most just dump the kids in crèches and childminders once they hit a year old anyway.

Really we don't care about our kids anymore let someone else look after them seems to be the motto

AH guide:

1: Pay for exorbitant childcare in order to work so you can pay mortgage/astronomical rents and contribute taxes to economy: bad parents

2: Don't work and are unable to pay mortgage/astronomical rents and contribute taxes to economy: bum sponging off 'my taxes'

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

thee glitz wrote: »

I see what you did there but hopefully this will happen sooner.

The bill is only being crafted at this stage. A long way to go yet.

My employer already gives 2 weeks paid paternity leave. Will this make much difference at all?.

Teyla Emmagan

Kendra Ugly Memorandum wrote: »

The bill is only being crafted at this stage. A long way to go yet.

My employer already gives 2 weeks paid paternity leave. Will this make much difference at all?.

Not to you. But it will to all the other men out there who are entitled to zero paid paternity leave.

Two weeks is nothing. But at the same time it is a good start.

SEPT 23 1989

Some men are glad to get back to work after a few days:D

VinLieger

We need the swedish solution where the parents are given a set amount between them that they get to split however they want.

Chemical Byrne

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Ireland being a modern progressive country, it really is shocking the appalling way fathers are treated in the eyes of the law and state. What ever chance married dads have, unmarried dads are fcuked. It's disgraceful.

Actually that's an important point. Would a father have to be married to the mother in order to qualify for the leave? It wouldn't surprise me.

ZiabR

How many companies in Ireland are giving out about this... I know mine is most likely foaming at the mouth at the thought of allowing people leave from work after their child is born. It is hard enough to get a sick day...

This is something that should be in place for the past 10 years, it is long overdue.

BeerWolf

CarpeDiem85 wrote: »

Hopefully men can start having the babies soon too. Share the pain

I'm willing to bet there'll be male transsexuals in the future that'll have donated wombs put into them... now whether that would work or not is a different story... :pac:

hollster2

I think its a great idea its about time, when I had my baby my oartner only got a week off work its was tough already having two children but most important was the bond should be same for mother and father after all we both made them.