Vol. 447 No. 11
104 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the provisions he is making to notify people concerned with paid maternity and paternity leave about the extent and limitations of the Maternity Protection Act, 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1364/95]
The Maternity Protection Act, 1994, imposes no obligation on employers to provide paid maternity leave. Payment arrangements in relation to maternity leave, in line with obligations arising from the Pregnant Workers Directive, are provided through the maternity benefit scheme which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Social Welfare. There is no legal provision for paid paternity leave. The special leave arrangements for fathers provided for in the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, is targeted at fathers where the newly born child's mother dies within 14 weeks of the birth.
My Department is producing an explanatory booklet on leave entitlements and other employment rights aspects of maternity protection legislation which will be available free of charge to the general public including employees and their representatives and employers. Given its existing services to employers and employees, I am considering a role for the Employment Equality Agency to provide an information service on the legislation. This function is currently undertaken in my Department.
