A new law proposal has been submitted before the Dáil this afternoon that will allow if passed parents to share maternity leave.
Under the new proposals submitted by Fianna Fáil TD Fiona O’Loughlin, fathers of newborn babies will be allowed to take a share of the 26 weeks that is currently allocated to new mothers.
It is understood the Bill of passed would provide greater equality amongst parents when it comes to caring for the newborn baby.
Although the proposals have to go through a number of stages before they are passed into law, they would now allow for new fathers to take extra time off work to care for their newborn.
The proposals would also have no effect on the the exchequer as they would provide the same benefits given by the current system of 26 weeks paid leave for new mothers and 2 weeks paid leave for new fathers.