Louis J. Belton
Question:365 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if force majeure leave will be extended to aunts and uncles at the next review. [26372/00]
Written Answers. - Parental Leave.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides that my Department will conduct a review, in 2001, of the operation of the Parental Leave Act, 1998, in consultation with the social partners. This commitment is in accordance with section 28 of the Act, which provides for a review of the operation of the Act within not less than two years and not more than three years of its commencement on 3 December 1998. This review, which will be carried out during 2001, will provide an opportunity to assess provisions of the Act in the light of its operation.
As the Deputy is aware, the Parental Leave Act provides an entitlement to limited force majeure leave for urgent family reasons where, owing to injury to or illness of a family member, the presence of the employee, at the place where the family member is, is indispensable. The question of extending the entitlement to force majeure leave will be considered during the review of the Parental Leave Act, 1998.