Government ministers have met to discuss the terms of paternity leave in Ireland, which is expected to come into force in September.
Frances Fitzgerald and Leo Varadkar have confirmed the new bill following a Father's Day meeting in the Phoenix Park, which will provide fathers with two weeks of paternity leave and two weeks of paternity benefit.
Once the bill is enacted it will allow fathers to start a combined package of both paternity leave and paternity benefit at any time, within the first six months following birth.
It will also apply to fathers who have recently adopted a child.
The Department of Social Protection will pay €230 for the two weeks of paternity leave, but employers will also have the option of topping up the payment if they so choose.
Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar said: "It's great to be able to do something for dads by providing paternity benefit to all PRSI contributors for the first time.
"Parenting is changing and fathers are more and more involved in raising their children.
"Ireland is behind the curve compared to our European colleagues but this combined package of paternity leave and paternity benefit will help to address that," he added.
While Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald said: "This legislation has been a priority for me since the new Partnership Government was established in May.
"I have been a strong advocate for the necessity of paid paternity leave for many years. Consistent findings show that targeting investment in a child’s early years leads to better outcomes for both the child and wider society.
"As a former Minister for Children I know how important it is for fathers to have the opportunity to be involved at the earliest stages of a child’s development.
"All evidence suggests that the support of both parents at an early stage is in the best interests of the child."
