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Ireland – Social Welfare Consolidation Act No. 26 of 2005, as amended by Social Welfare and Pensions Act No. 8 of 2007

Section 6 of the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 only provides 2 weeks of paternity leave. Under section 47(5) of Ireland’s Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (No. 26 of 2005) provides that a father can only obtain additional parental financial support if the mother dies within a certain time period after giving birth.

  • Country: Ireland
  • Law status: Discriminatory law in force
  • Law Type: Employment

Sex discrimination in economic status laws restricts women from being economically independent, limiting access to inheritance and property ownership as well as to employment opportunities, thereby reinforcing gender stereotypes and roles.

Unequal parental leave laws assume that the responsibility of childcare falls on women and may end up inhibiting women’s full economic participation. Section 6 of the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 only provides 2 weeks of paternity leave. Under section 47(5) of Ireland’s Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (No. 26 of 2005) provides that a father can only obtain additional parental financial support if the mother dies within a certain time period after giving birth.

Section 47. (5) Subject to this Chapter, maternity benefit [government financial support] shall be payable to

(a)   a woman . . .
(c)  a man . . .
          (I) 
[only] where the mother dies . . . (II) . . . [within 40 weeks after giving birth] . . .

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