Nora Owen
Question:230 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Labour if he has issued any instructions to employers both in the public and private sectors to give paid maternity leave to adoptive mothers; and, if not, if he intends to do so.
Written Answers. - Paid Maternity Leave.
There is no legislative provision for the granting of adoptive leave. The granting of such leave is regulated entirely by negotiation or custom and practice.
A scheme for the granting of adoptive leave has been in operation in the Civil Service since 1983. The question of introducing similar schemes in the public sector generally and in the private sector has been a matter for negotiation in individual employments. I am aware that arrangements for the granting of adoptive leave have been agreed in some employments.
The question of making a statutory provision for the granting of adoptive leave to all employees has been considered on a number of occasions in recent years. However, in the context of other social priorities, and in particular the need to create and maintain employment through minimizing non wage costs, it was considered inopportune to introduce a statutory provision for paid adoptive leave. I will however keep this matter under review.