Ireland urged to reform paternity leave as fathers face financial strain and career risks

Men's health charity Movember is calling on the Irish government to establish a Paternity Leave Working Group to overhaul the country's paternity leave system. The charity highlights significant financial and career barriers faced by fathers who take leave, urging reform to better support families.

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Ireland’s allocation of two weeks paternity leave is the minimum possible under EU law and lags well behind many European counterparts.

The charity's "Extra Time with Dad" report reveals that fathers in Ireland lose approximately three-quarters of their average weekly income when taking the state paternity benefit. Currently, this benefit provides €299 per week for two consecutive weeks, a provision that the report notes is the minimum allowed under EU law and lags behind many European counterparts.

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Dads who take paternity leave report better mental health, stronger bonds with their child, and greater ability to support their partner.

Research indicates that Ireland ranks fifth from the bottom among EU states for providing paid, supported leave for new fathers. The report, launched in advance of Father's Day and during Men's Health Week, examined financial, economic, and cultural obstacles to fathers utilizing their statutory leave entitlements.

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When fathers are supported, families benefit. Ten years on, Ireland still lags behind Europe.

A survey of 403 fathers with young children found that nearly 70% experienced financial strain while on paternity leave. Furthermore, half of those who took leave felt it could jeopardize their career progression. Movember Country Manager Sarah Ouellette emphasized the benefits of paternity leave, including improved mental health for fathers, stronger bonds with their children, and increased support for partners. "Ten years on, Ireland still lags behind Europe," she stated, advocating for government action to address this "whole-of-society issue."

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We are calling on Government to act, beginning with the establishment of Paternity Leave Working Group bringing together key stakeholders to address this whole-of-society issue.