15 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give details regarding the provision of both paid and unpaid parental leave and the duration in all EU countries; his views on Ireland's comparative rating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11133/00]
Written Answers. - Parental Leave.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:56 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when it is intended to commence and complete the review of the Parental Leave Act, 1998, in view of the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11181/00]
60 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number who have availed of parental leave; and if he will review the attractiveness of unpaid parental leave. [8039/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 56 and 60 together.
The Parental Leave Act, 1998, which implements the Parental Leave Directive (96/34/EC), provides an individual and non-transferrable entitlement to both parents to 14 weeks unpaid leave from work to take care of young children. The leave must be taken before the child reaches five years of age, except in certain circumstances in the case of an adopted child. The entitlement applies to parents of children born or adopted on or after 3 June 1996
In developing the Parental Leave Act, 1998, my Department examined the existing parental leave schemes in other countries, including EU member states. However, it is difficult to make direct comparisons with other member states because, in almost every respect, whether it be the upper age limit of the child, the pattern of leave available or the issue of payment, there is considerable variation between member states.
Country |
Paid Parental Leave |
Unpaid Parental Leave |
Austria |
–2 years if parents share; 1½ years for one parent–Attracts a flat rate payment–For employees with at least 1 year employment during the previous 2 yearsParental Leave/part-time work allowances–Combination of parental leave allowance and part time work; |
Country |
Paid Parental Leave |
Unpaid Parental Leave |
–Various options up to 4 years (depending on type of sharing with the partner). |
||
Belgium |
–The father & mother can suspend their employment contract for a period of 3 months on account of the birth, adoption or disability of a child. A low flat rate allowance is granted. |
–In accordance with a collective agreement employees may opt for 6 months working half-time. |
Denmark |
–Up to 10 weeks may be taken by the father or mother after the 14th week following the birth. The right may be used by only one parent at a time.–26 weeks leave in respect of children age 0-2 years and 13 weeks for children aged 3-8 years. |
|
Finland |
–Following maternity leave, the mother or father or both in turn are entitled to 158 consecutive calendar days leave except Sundays. During the leave the user receives a parenthood allowance.–Child home care leave is granted after parental leave and until the youngest child is three years old where the child is taken care of at home by the mother or the father.Partial Child Care Leave–The mother or the father may take part-time childcare leave (i.e. a reduction of working time for family reasons) until the youngest child completes his or her first school term in primary education, provided that both parents (or the single parent) are participants in the labour market. This measure is granted only to one parent at a time. In the case where the youngest child is aged under 3 the parent is also partially compensated for the loss of earnings. |
–Partial childcare leave if the youngest child is aged over 3. |
France |
–Parental Leave allowance payable to all employees following the birth of the second or subsequent child and until it reaches the age of three; one year's seniority or two years' employment (including unemployment for which benefit was payable) during the previous five years are required. |
–For the first child, unpaid leave available to any employee (with one year's seniority) up until the child's third birthday;–Possibility of part-time leave from 16 to 32 hours weekly. |
Germany |
–For employed parents;–Until the child is 3 years old;–Paid for 24 months, unpaid for the third year. |
|
Greece |
Either parent is entitled to:–Private sector, public corporations and banks: 3.5 months for each parent, child under 3 years. Undertakings employing at least 50 workers.–Civil service: 3 months for each parent, child aged under 2.5. Services with at least 100 employees. |
|
Ireland |
–14 weeks unpaid leave for both father & mother (subject to certain service requirements). |
|
Italy |
–6 months of optional leave, 30% replacement rate, can be used in the first year of the child (can be used in fractions);–Transferable to the father, if the mother is an employee |
|
Luxembourg |
Information not available |
|
Netherlands |
–child aged under 8–Leave for a period of (added up) 50% of the working time during a period of 6 months. |
|
Portugal |
–Parental leave applies if child is aged under three and both parents are at work;–Consecutive periods of 6 months up to 2 years;–The father or the mother can use the leave but only one at a time. |
|
Spain |
–Child aged under 3 years;–Duration of 3 years–For either mother or father when both are working–Working time may be reduced by ? to ½ in respect of children under 6 years. |
|
Sweden |
There are four types of parental leave:1)Full, until the child has reached 18 months or, subject to the parent's receipt of full parental cash benefit, for time thereafter, which means another 15 months;2)Partial leave in the form of a reduction of working time by one half or one quarter with one half or one quarter parent allowance respectively;3)Reduction of normal working time (without monetary compensation) by one quarter until, in most cases, the child reaches 8 years;4)Temporary, for temporary care of a child. |
|
UK |
13 weeks for both mother & father (subject to one year's continuous service with the employer). |