Vol. 427 No. 4
67 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when legislation will be introduced in Dáil Éireann to provide for maternity leave for adoptive mothers; the reason for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In accordance with the commitment given in the Programme for a Partnership Government, I have in hands legislative proposals for adoptive maternity leave and I hope to introduce the Bill in the next session of the Dáil.
As Deputies will appreciate, the situation in relation to adoption is complex and has become more so in recent years with the changing pattern of adoption, the increase in foreign adoptions and the enactment of the Adoption Act, 1991. Accordingly, preparation of the adoptive maternity leave legislation has taken more time than was originally expected.
