The Government has said it will introduce a phased introduction of eight weeks additional parental leave, following the passing of a Social Democrat Bill in the Seanad this evening.
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill will allow for the introduction of an extra four weeks parental leave from this September and an additional four weeks from September 2020.
It also increases the age of the child for which parental leave is available from eight to 12 years.
Minister of State at the Department of Justice David Stanton presented a number of amendments to the Bill which were passed this evening in the Seanad.
It will now be returned to the Dáil for final approval before being presented to the President for signature and enactment.
The Private Members' Bill has received cross-party support in the Dáil and Seanad.
