Ictu Urges Government to Introduce Pay-Related Parents’ Benefit for Workers
Ictu has urged the Government to introduce a promised pay-related parents’ benefit, noting thousands miss out on time with young children due to low statutory pay of €299 weekly. This financial barrier disproportionately affects men and contradicts EU work-life balance directives. The Department is studying related benefits before setting a timeline.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) has criticized the Government for failing to introduce pay-related parents’ benefit, preventing thousands of workers from spending time with young children. Ictu General Secretary Owen Reidy and President Phil Ní Sheaghdha wrote to Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary, demanding a timetable for the benefit, which was promised in the program for government. They also urged the publication of a public consultation before the summer recess to initiate the lengthy process.
Currently, parents of children under two are entitled to nine weeks’ leave, but statutory pay is only €299 per week if employers do not top up wages. Ictu leaders argue this amount covers little more than a half-time, minimum wage job, making it financially unfeasible for many families to take the leave. This low replacement rate contradicts the EU work-life balance directive.
Parents’ benefit is distinct from parental leave, which offers 26 weeks of unpaid leave until a child turns 12. The lack of a pay-related element in parents’ benefit discourages participation, especially among men. Research from last year showed only a quarter of eligible men used parents’ leave, compared to two-thirds of women.
The Department of Social Protection stated it is still studying the impact of pay-related Jobseeker’s Benefit, introduced over a year ago. Learnings from this will inform options for pay-related parents’ benefit, and a public consultation will be the first step, though no timeframe was provided.