AIB has launched a series of initiatives including two weeks' paid paternity leave and a gap initiative for women on maternity leave.

To coincide with Diversity and Inclusion Week, which began yesterday, AIB announced new targets for female representation at management levels, alongside launching a paid paternity leave plan and other family-friendly policies. The bank have said they plan to offer two weeks' fully paid paternity leave, allowing new dads to enjoy the first few weeks with their children without worrying about being out of pocket. This move follows the Government's introduction of paternity leave and paternity benefits last year. Under new legislation launched in Ireland in September, Irish dads are now entitled to two weeks' paternity leave in the first six months after the birth or adoption of their child. If the father meets the appropriate requirements he can claim a Social Welfare benefit of €230 for each week of leave. AIB has chosen to provide a top-up payment so that dads gets the benefit of their full salary for the two weeks they are on paternity leave. As part of their broader diversity and inclusion policy, the bank also offers the leave entitlement to second parents of either gender - not just Dads. Aswell as plans to have 40% women across management levels by 2018, the organisation has also launched their new 'Mind the Gap' initiative which aims to help women on maternity leave reintegrate back into the workplace in a more supported way. The bank's head of HR, Triona Ferriter says that diversity is about enabling real culture change,

"By committing to having more diverse representation at management level, we will enable more informed decision-making."