Vol. 529 No. 1
977 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider granting extended maternity leave to all those commencing maternity leave after the date of the budget to facilitate those who are due to take leave in the immediate future. [2105/01]
978 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding extended maternity leave announced in the budget for persons on maternity leave up to and after 2 April 2001. [2159/01]
979 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the extended period for maternity leave will come into effect; if it will be retrospective to 1 January 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2282/01]
992 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that the recently announced improvements in maternity benefit and unpaid leave will be made available to all expectant mothers from the date of the budget announcement; and if these improved benefits will be available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [30549/00]
993 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make the provisions for extended maternity leave applicable immediately rather than from April 2001. [30573/00]
997 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is unjust that mothers commencing maternity leave prior to 2 April 2001 are not able to avail of the paid maternity leave increased period of 18 weeks and the unpaid leave increased period of eight weeks; if he will back-date the increase to all mothers who commenced maternity leave as and from the date of the budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1039/01]
999 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the proposed four week extension of maternity leave will apply to any woman who is already on leave on 1 April 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1070/01]
1016 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is entitled to the additional four weeks paid maternity leave recently announced in the budget as her maternity leave will become effective from 31 January 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1373/01]
1020 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details of the revised entitlements for maternity leave as announced in budget 2001; the date from which these entitlements will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1431/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 977, 978, 979, 992, 993, 997, 999, 1016 and 1020 together.
I would like to outline the position in relation to the implementation of the increases in maternity and adoptive leave announced in the budget.
As the Deputies will be aware, an extension of four weeks to the period of maternity leave, which attracts a payment, increasing the entitlement from 14 to 18 weeks and an extension of four weeks to unpaid maternity leave increasing the entitlement from four to eight weeks was announced in budget 2001. In accordance with the budget announcement, the increase in maternity leave, attracting a payment, will be applicable to women commencing maternity leave on or after 2 April 2001. This date is in line with the introduction of other social welfare increases announced in the budget. However, in order to give people the maximum possible benefit from the proposed extension of maternity leave, I, together with my colleagues the Ministers for Finance and Social, Community and Family Affairs, intend to have the extension of the duration of maternity leave introduced at the earliest possible date which complies with the Maternity Protection Act, 1994.
