Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Yiannis Panayiotou welcomed the decision of the House of Representatives to vote on Thursday in favour of the bills increasing the child birth grant and extending the parental leave.

"The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance welcomes the decision of the House of Representatives to pass the bills increasing the childbirth grant and extending the parental leave, marking the start of the implementation of the second package of measures for the demographic recovery of the country, announced in November by the President of the Republic", the Minister said in a written statement.

As Panayiotou noted, the increase in the child birth grant provides for a gradual increase in the amount of the financial benefit depending on the number of children. The child birth grant of €628.92 is increased in stages, retroactively from 1 October 2024, as follows: €1000 for the first child, €1500 for the second child, €2000 for the third child and €2500 for the fourth and each subsequent child.

Through the increase of the allowance, 8000 families will benefit annually and the annual financial expenditure will increase by €6.4 million, the Minister added.

The extension of parental leave provides for an increase in the age limit for children, an increase in the number of beneficiaries and an increase in the duration of the leave depending on the number of children.

"Through the extension of parental leave an additional 68,000 parents will benefit and the annual expenditure will increase by €11.5 million", the Minister said.