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10/08/2017
New Fathers Urged To Apply For Paternity Leave
The Minister for Social Protection, Regina Doherty, has urged new and expectant fathers to apply for their two weeks paternity payment, offered by her department.
Employed and self-employed fathers with the correct PRSI contributions are entitled to receive Paternity Benefit.
Paternity Benefit is available from the Department of Social Protection to parents of children born or placed in adoption. Currently, it is payable at a minimum rate of €235 per week for two weeks for employees and self-employed people who are on Paternity Leave from work. It is available for up to 26 weeks after the child's birth or adoption placement, and it is also available to same sex couples.
As the first Anniversary of the introduction of Paternity Benefit approaches, Minister Doherty said: "The purpose of Paternity Benefit is to support new fathers to take time off work within the first 26 weeks following the birth of their child.
"New parents can choose to apply online for Paternity Benefit if they have a Public Services Card. Applications made online benefit from an automated decision process, where all conditions are fulfilled the person concerned will receive an award notification within seconds. Alternatively, anyone experiencing difficulty with making an online claim can contact my Department by e-mail and will receive a paper form.
"I would strongly urge all eligible parents to consider applying for Paternity Benefit when they take paternity leave. It is a precious time for new parents and the Department recognises how important this stage of family life is for parents.
"It is important that we continue to work to eliminate barriers to employment and education so as to ensure that we can deliver a Republic of opportunity that is fair to all - Paternity Benefit is a small but powerful support for young families in achieving just that.
"This Government continues to prioritise the introduction of universal measures such as Paternity Benefit, affordable childcare and back to school allowances, with a view to supporting every family in this Republic."
(MH/CD)
Employed and self-employed fathers with the correct PRSI contributions are entitled to receive Paternity Benefit.
Paternity Benefit is available from the Department of Social Protection to parents of children born or placed in adoption. Currently, it is payable at a minimum rate of €235 per week for two weeks for employees and self-employed people who are on Paternity Leave from work. It is available for up to 26 weeks after the child's birth or adoption placement, and it is also available to same sex couples.
As the first Anniversary of the introduction of Paternity Benefit approaches, Minister Doherty said: "The purpose of Paternity Benefit is to support new fathers to take time off work within the first 26 weeks following the birth of their child.
"New parents can choose to apply online for Paternity Benefit if they have a Public Services Card. Applications made online benefit from an automated decision process, where all conditions are fulfilled the person concerned will receive an award notification within seconds. Alternatively, anyone experiencing difficulty with making an online claim can contact my Department by e-mail and will receive a paper form.
"I would strongly urge all eligible parents to consider applying for Paternity Benefit when they take paternity leave. It is a precious time for new parents and the Department recognises how important this stage of family life is for parents.
"It is important that we continue to work to eliminate barriers to employment and education so as to ensure that we can deliver a Republic of opportunity that is fair to all - Paternity Benefit is a small but powerful support for young families in achieving just that.
"This Government continues to prioritise the introduction of universal measures such as Paternity Benefit, affordable childcare and back to school allowances, with a view to supporting every family in this Republic."
(MH/CD)
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Increased Payment Disregard To Benefit Working Lone Parents
The amount a lone parent while retaining their full One-Parent Family or Jobseeker's Transitional payment has been increased, the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar, has announced. Under the new measures, brought into effect on Thursday 05 january, existing and new working lone parents can earn up to €110 per week, and increase of €20.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with a little light rain or drizzle at times, but some spells of drier weather too. The north coast may become somewhat brighter later this afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
