All babies born on February 29th are to be treated to a once-off payment of €100 from the Government, it was announced last night. Olivia Kelly reports
The "gift" is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, according to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan.
The parents of the estimated 165 leap-day babies expected to be born in the State on February 29th will benefit from the gesture.
Ms Coughlan said last night that leap years were "special". She pointed out that leap-day babies had to wait four years for their next birthday. "I felt they should be given a special welcome this year as it is the 10th anniversary of the Year of the Family."
There are an estimated 4.1 million leap-day babies in the world and there is a 1 in 1,461 chance of being born on February 29th.
The Gregorian calendar, which serves as the standard calendar for civil use throughout the world, has both common years and leap years. A common year has 365 days and a leap year 366 days, with the extra day designated as February 29th.
A leap year occurs every four years to help synchronise the calendar year with the solar year, or the length of time it takes the earth to complete its orbit around the sun, which is about 365¼ days.
Ms Coughlan said last night that the €100 gift would come from a special fund being established to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
While it cannot be predicted exactly how many babies will be born on February 29th, figures from the Central Statistics Office indicate that as many as 165 babies may arrive on Sunday week.
Arrangements are to be made through maternity hospitals for the leap-day payments.
Mothers who give birth at home can apply for the money directly to the Minister at the Department of Social and Family Affairs.