The involvement of fathers in parenting their children has been lauded by the Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty. She was speaking at the launch of a new parental-leave benefits program whereby the parents of new borns will each receive up to seven weeks paid leave. The Minister whose department will oversee the implementation of the new scheme, said the Government is particularly conscious that fathers need more time with their children.

“The evidence shows that when fathers take a more significant and meaningful share in the parenting of their children, the individual family benefits, and so does wider society,” she said. In the marriage referendum, the Government said the sex of the parents raising a child doesn’t matter.

Having more parents stay at home for longer will also help the Government alleviate the looming crisis in childcare, she added.