As part of its 'Diversity and Inclusion Week' AIB has made a series of announcements including new paternity and maternity leave initiatives.

AIB will offer two weeks’ fully paid paternity leave allowing new fathers - and it will introduce a 'Mind the Gap' initiative which will help women on maternity leave to reintegrate back into the workplace in "a more supportive way."

.@finegael Well done AIB for backing Govt's two weeks of paternity leave. New fathers working for AIB to get two weeks off fully paid. pic.twitter.com/4a5S6GADOK

— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) March 6, 2017

The Irish bank has also set a new target for 40% of its management staff to be female by 2018. It achieved a previous target of a 25% representation of women on its board by the end of last year.

Under new legislation launched in Ireland last September, fathers are now entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave while receiving a payment of €230 per week of leave by the State.

AIB says that it wants, "new fathers to enjoy the first few weeks with their children without worrying about being out of pocket."

Its CEO Bernard Byrne commented: "Diversity and Inclusion are important aspects of our people agenda.  By committing to a more diverse workforce at management level, we will lay the foundations for increased diversity at more senior levels."