Hundreds of Galway fathers avail of paternity benefit

Hundreds of new fathers in Galway have already benefited from the extension of new paternity rights last year.

New statistics reveal that a total of 623 fathers in Galway city and county availed of the paternity benefit introduced by Government last September.

Under the new regime, the State provides two weeks’ benefit, currently paid at the rate of €235 per week, to support fathers in caring for their newly born babies, or adopted children.

Nationally, some 10,643 fathers availed of the scheme in the seven months to March 2017.

The figures were supplied by Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar.

Paternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed men who are on paternity leave from work and covered by PRSI.

It is available for any child born or adopted on or after September 1, 2016. Fathers can start paternity leave at any time within the first 6 months following the birth or adoption placement.

Fathers who are already on certain social welfare payments may get half-rate paternity benefit. During the period, September to March, some 280 fathers availed of the new benefit in Mayo, 129 in Roscommon, 77 in Leitrim and 235 in Clare.