Updated: 25/11/16 : 05:50:11
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FORTY TWO fathers in Sligo have availed of the new paid paternity leave introduced in September.
A further 25 dads availed of the new leave in Co Leitrim, the Dail learned this week.
Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin had sought the info from Minister Leo Varadkar.
Nationally, the uptake has been 2,846 fathers in the period under review, from September 1st to November 15th.
Speedy Notification
MInister Varadkar also said that online is the preferred application method.
This can result in the ''speedy notification'' of applications for paternity or maternity leave.
The Sligo uptake on the new paid paternity provision represents is just 1.48% of all successful applications, said the Minister.
The benefit is paid for up to two weeks to employed and self-employed people who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.
The payment is €230 per week, the same as maternity benefit, with possible increases for adult and child dependents.
''The
purpose of the benefit,'' said Minister Varadkar ''is to support new
fathers to take time off work within the first 26 weeks following the
birth of their child.''
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