Sinn Féin has said it will expand paternity leave to 52 weeks to take pressure off the childcare system.

Currently, maternity leave is available for 26 weeks, with the right to take an additional 16, while paternity leave is currently at two weeks.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on worker's rights Louise O'Reilly has said this increase would take pressure off the childcare sector.

“Studies have shown that having a parent with them for the first year has hugely positive benefits in terms of health and development for children,” she said.

“Our plan will alleviate the pressure on the childcare sector.

“Under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, there is a severe shortage of places, and if you talk to parents, they will tell you this is especially acute for children under the age of one.”

Under the plans, both parents would be able to spend a full year with their new borns.

"Many families want the option to continue to stay with their child in the early stages of their life, and I don't think that is an unreasonable thing to ask," Ms O'Reilly said.

"Under the current scheme, that is just not possible.

"Under Sinn Féin's plan, both lone parents and two parent families will have access to the necessary number of weeks and benefits for the first 52 weeks of the child's life."

Ireland has previously been ranked as one of the worst countries in Europe for paid maternity leave.