Tánaiste Joan Burton has confirmed the Labour Party would introduce three months of paid parental leave after the next general election.

Ms Burton confirmed the party’s manifesto would commit to the new benefit in addition to paternity and maternity leave.

Speaking at a Women for Election event, she said the party would outline a very “significant plan in the campaign to drive up the quality of childcare and drive down the costs”.

The Tánaiste said: “A central component of this will be increasing paid parental leave.

“We will protect the existing six months of paid maternity leave, incorporating the new two weeks of paternity leave.

“In addition, we will provide three additional months of paid parental leave that can be shared between both parents.

“This will ensure that every child can be cared for by their parents for the first nine months of their life.”

The Irish Times reported last month the junior Coalition party would pledge to introduce this entitlement on a phased basis.

The manifesto will allow for a total of three months’ paid leave by 2021 and will allow for it to be shared between mother and father.

The paid parental leave would be in addition to maternity benefit and to the two weeks’ paternity benefit announced in the budget.

The parental leave is aimed at encouraging mothers to re-enter the workforce and to allow for fathers to take time off if desired.