Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 61A

Interpretation

Section 61A sets out the key definitions used throughout the Paternity Benefit provisions, clarifying who qualifies as a claimant and how various family situations are recognised.

• The "relevant parent" is the person entitled to claim Paternity Benefit – this is not the mother, but rather the father, spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant of the mother or adopting parent.
• For same-sex married couples adopting jointly, the couple chooses which spouse will be the "relevant parent" for Paternity Benefit purposes, with the other spouse being the "relevant adopting parent".
• The legislation recognises both domestic adoption orders and intercountry adoptions effected outside Ireland, provided the latter are recognised under the Adoption Act 2010.
• References to "the mother" throughout this chapter include an expectant mother, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.