Pay related Parents’ Benefit would make life easier for families – Ahearn

Introducing pay related Parents’ Benefit would help parents to spend valuable time with their young children, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Garret Ahearn said that by linking Parents’ Benefit to earnings, families will be protected from financial constraints when taking leave.

“We’ve introduced Jobseekers Pay Related Benefit (JPRB), which Fine Gael campaigned for, now it’s time to introduce pay related Parents’ Benefit.

“Currently Parents’ Benefit is worth €289 a week and paid to workers and the self-employed with young children. It allows parents to take up to nine weeks off work before their child’s second birthday.

“Fine Gael wants to see the amount of benefit received linked to earnings, so families don’t feel financial pressure when parent’ leave is needed.

“It’s important that we support parents in the workforce and when they need to take time off to be with their young children.

“Parents play such an important role and people shouldn’t have to worry about starting or growing their family for fear of a cliff-edge drop in income.

“Fine Gael knows parents are working hard, and we want to do everything we can to make life easier for families. Introducing pay related Parents’ Benefit would ensure that when parents are deciding to take Parents’ Leave, the financial implications are not a factor.

“There is no doubt that such a measure will have a positive impact on life for families, especially those with newborn children.

“We need to build on the progress we’ve made with JPRB, now it’s time to bring in pay related Parents’ Benefit”, concluded Senator Ahearn.