Extra time with dad: Improving men's health through paternity leave in Ireland

Ireland is leaving fathers behind, and it's costing men, children, and families more than we realise. This Men's Health Week, Movember has published it’s latest report, ‘Extra Time with Dad’, which outlines that paternity leave isn’t just a nice-to-have. It's a public health matter. And right now, Ireland is coming out the fifth–from-bottom in Europe, so we’re calling for change. 

This Men’s Health Week, be part of the solution.

Men need extra time

When a baby arrives, those early weeks matter enormously, for the father, child, for the wider family, and beyond. But in Ireland, most dads barely get the chance to be there.

But Ireland is fifth-from-bottom of the EU table when it comes to support for new fathers.

Irish fathers get two weeks statutory paternity leave, the bare minimum under EU law. They also have access to nine weeks’ of parent’s leave. All at just €299 per week. 

This means that even when we combine their entitlement of two weeks of paternity leave and nine weeks parent’s leave, fathers in Ireland receive the equivalent on average of only 2.8 weeks of full-time pay. That’s an average loss in income of nearly three-quarters.

This is less than a third of the EU average and only 15% of the level of support provided by leading countries like Slovakia, Luxembourg and Spain.

This isn't just a policy gap. It's having a serious impact on men’s health.

The evidence

In September 2025, Movember launched ‘The Real Face of Men's Health’ report, which shared that 61% of dads believed society doesn’t do enough to support them, and where Movember called for action on paternity leave in Ireland. This new report ‘Extra Time with Dad’, goes deeper, setting out the full evidence base and a concrete call to government for change.

What the data tells us:

• Ireland is fifth-from-bottom of the EU table when it comes to support for new fathers, and on the government rate, they lose around three-quarters of their weekly income just to be there.
• The reality: 1 in 5 dads in Ireland took no paternity leave of any kind all when their baby was born, 67% experienced financial strain as a result of taking leave, 50% felt taking more would put their career at risk and 68% relied on employer supports and top-ups just to make it work.
• This isn't just a policy problem. It's a health one. 1 in 4 dads in Ireland rate their mental health as fair or poor. 3 in 5 believe society doesn't take fathers' mental health seriously.

Why this matters

In football, extra time is where it all turns around. For dads in Ireland, it's no different.

When dads do get the time: 85% say it supported their partner's physical and mental recovery. 82% say it boosted their confidence as a parent.

When fathers are present in those early weeks, children are less likely to develop emotional and behavioural problems. Parenting duties are more equally shared. Mothers recover better. And fathers, get the support they need at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

Workplace culture, flat-rate pay that doesn't reflect real wages, and a lack of political will have combined to keep Irish dads from being there. We would like that to change.

Our call to action

Movember is calling on the Government to establish a dedicated Paternity Leave Working Group, to extend leave, boost financial support, and remove the barriers stopping dads in Ireland from being there.

The case for change is clear. Extra time with your kids starts with better support for dads.

So whether you're a policy maker, a new parent, a healthcare professional, or someone who simply believes Irish fathers deserve better, this report is for you.

‘Extra Time with Dad’ report

Read it. Share it. Back the call.

*This report was produced by the Movember Institute of Men's Health. It forms part of Movember's ongoing campaign to improve men's health outcomes in Ireland through evidence-based policy change.*