NWCI expresses concern that introduction of paid parental leave could be delayed

Published: Monday, December 11, 2017

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) is seriously concerned  at media reports that Ireland is seeking to delay EU law to introduce paid parental leave. 
 
Orla O'Connor, Director of NWCI said,
 
"Urgent clarification is needed on this course of action as it is contrary to the commitments in the Government's National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017 -2020 (NSWG) and in the Programme for Partnership Goverment."
 
The NWSG commits to 'Publish proposals for the implementation of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to expand paid leave in the first year of a child’s life by end-2017 and legislate for them as soon as possible thereafter'. 
 
Orla O'Connor continued,
"Ireland is 1 of only 6 EU countries that has not introduced pay for parents while on statutory parental leave. Unpaid leave makes it very difficult for parents to avail of it as they cannot afford to loose their incomes. All the international evidence shows the benefits for children in their first year of life if parents can care for them. Providing paid parental leave means that caring can be shared between parents. This is also critical for increasing equality for women as women continue to be the predominant carers in Ireland."
 
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For more information, please contact Silke Paasche, NWCI, Tel. 085 8589104.