An overwhelming number of Irish couples think paternity leave should be introduced for fathers following the birth of a child. According to a study presented at the conference yesterday they would like three weeks' paid leave.
Dr Ann Caird, who carried out the study at the Coombe Women's Hospital in Dublin, said this differed significantly from the three months' unpaid leave proposed in an EU directive.
The Parental Leave Bill, published last week, will give effect to the EU directive from December, allowing 14 weeks' unpaid leave before the child is five. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and opposition parties have claimed the Bill is short-sighted and discriminatory.
A few companies in Ireland already provide specific paternity leave at their own discretion.
Dr Caird said there is increased interest in paternity leave which coincides with changing family structures, especially the decline in availability of extended family in support of the mothers of new-born babies.
The first country to introduce paternity leave was Norway, and several European countries, including those outside the EU, have it in place.
More than half of Irish fathers who take time off around a child's birth take holidays, while about one in 10 take compassionate leave. Just 3 per cent surveyed were on paternity leave, while over a quarter worried about being able to attend the birth and 14 per cent missed it.
Asked how paternity leave should be paid, almost half thought it should be financed by the State, and one father felt National Lottery funds should be used. Dr Caird said more research was needed into this area.