Men’s health charity Movember has called for reforms of paternity leave in Ireland and is appealing to the Government to establish a Paternity Leave Working Group to examine key barriers and opportunities, including length of paternity leave, payment rates and workplace culture.
The State paternity benefit is currently €299 per week, for two weeks, which must be taken consecutively.
A new report from Movember has found that fathers in Ireland are losing out on three-quarters of weekly average income when they take State paternity leave.
The research also found that Ireland is fifth from bottom among EU states when it comes to providing paid supported leave for new fathers.
“Ireland’s allocation of two weeks paternity leave is the minimum possible under EU law and lags well behind many European counterparts,” according to the study.
The ‘Extra Time with Dad’ report has been launched to mark Men’s Health Week and in advance of Father’s Day on Sunday.
The study examined the overall picture of paid support leave for new fathers in Ireland and considered the financial, economic and cultural barriers to fathers availing of statutory leave entitlements.
The report also draws on the findings of a survey of 403 fathers with children aged ten or under, which was commissioned by Movember.
It found that almost seven in ten respondents who took paternity leave experienced financial strain.
Half of those who had taken paternity leave said they felt that taking more leave would have put their career progression at risk.
“Dads who take paternity leave report better mental health, stronger bonds with their child, and greater ability to support their partner,” said Movember Country Manager Sarah Ouellette.
“When fathers are supported, families benefit. Ten years on, Ireland still lags behind Europe,” she said.
“We are calling on Government to act, beginning with the establishment of Paternity Leave Working Group bringing together key stakeholders to address this whole-of-society issue,” she added.