More than 10,000 people have signed a petition to extend paternity leave from two to eight weeks.
SOCIAL Democrat Councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara promoted the campaign after calling on Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to implement the extension that will bring us in line with European standards.
He submitted a motion to Limerick City and County Council calling on Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley and Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to implement the extension that will bring us in line with European standards.
The petition has garnered 10,303 signatories from people across the country.
“Currently, as has been exemplified by Tánaiste Simon Harris recently, Irish dads are entitled to two weeks of paternity, far behind the European average,” said Cllr Hickey-O’Mara.
His research into paternity leave began after the issue was brought to him in September by a Limerick resident, after which he became aware of the ‘8 Weeks For Families’ campaign. The campaign was set up by Shane O’Connor, founder of Lads2Dads, a Cork-based peer-led support group for fathers.
“The Motion asks for paternity leave to be extended from two weeks to the eight weeks,” he said.
“Limerick Council have written to Ministers Foley and Calleary asking for their support and appropriate actions to be taken as this falls under their briefs. I also asked that the Motion be circulated to all local authorities urging their representatives to follow suit.”
The campaign aims to extend paternity leave to allow fathers and soon-to-be fathers to connect with their families and support their partners after the childbirth process.
“Dads need more time to support their partners and to bond with their children before returning to work. This is particularly the case where the mam has had a difficult birth and/or caesarean section, often requiring more time to recover in hospital,” Cllr Hickey-O’Mara explained.
“It was also highlighted to me that, in the case of a child born with additional needs, the child may still be in hospital or may need additional care at home long after the paternity leave has ended. All of this places additional pressure on the mam and prevents the dad from supporting her and their baby, as well as preventing him from bonding with the new addition.”
His research on the topic included gathering testimonies from fathers who have experienced the paternity leave offered by the Irish Government.
“I spoke to as many Dads as I could in the lead up to introducing the Motion in Council, and honestly, it was such a moving experience,” he said. “Their generosity in speaking to me, sometimes wrestling with their toddlers as they did so, was so appreciated. It was inspiring listening to them speak about their partner’s experiences, the joys of being dads, and the challenges that the limited paternity leave offered in Ireland put in the path of their families.”
Cllr Hickey-O’Mara has also called on other parties to support the motion. “While I have flagged it with my Social Democrats colleagues, it’s crucial that this isn’t seen as associated with a particular party, I hope all parties will back the call, that’s the only way that I can see this actually being enacted.”
“I can’t change this, neither can my party, as we’re not in government yet but I hope the parties with power will take this seriously and act in the interests of dads, their partners, and families. I just hope that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are listening.”