asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware that expectancy payments have been negotiated by some unions for their members; and if he will state what such payments cover.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Expectancy Payments.
22.
I am not familiar with the term "expectancy payments", but I assume that it refers to paid maternity leave. Maternity leave would normally cover the right to leave before and after confinement and would probably include also some arrangements for additional payments by the employer over and above the benefits obtainable under the social welfare code.
I am so aware that a number of trade unions are at present negotiating claims for paid maternity leave.
A scheme of paid maternity leave for married women in the Civil Service has recently been introduced by agreement under the conciliation and arbitration procedure.
Is the Minister aware of a new term "expectancy payments" which was used in recent union negotiations with a State body and which does not in any way relate to maternity benefits?
A scheme of paid maternity leave for married women has recently been introduced in the civil service.
That does not answer the question I asked. I asked is the Minister aware of the new term?
No, I am not.
Will the Minister investigate and let this side of the House know the exact implications of this new term, and why it was negotiated with the State body concerned?
I have said that there is a scheme of paid maternity leave.
The Minister is talking about paid maternity leave but Deputy Gibbons is talking about expectancy payments which have no relation to maternity leave.
I will investigate it.