Vol. 563 No. 2
141 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is intended to introduce paid parental and paternity leave as recommended by the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7334/03]
The Government is committed under Sustaining Progress – Social Partnership Agreement 2003-05 to strengthening the parental leave scheme in line with the agreed recommendations of the social partners arising from the working group on parental leave.
In accordance with section 28 of the Parental Leave Act 1998 and a commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the working group carried out a review of that Act in 2001. The working group comprised the social partners, relevant Departments and the Equality Authority and the report of the working group on the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 was published on 29 April 2002.
The working group made 16 recommendations, ten of which were agreed and six by majority. Among the six majority recommendations, it was recommended that parental leave should attract payment and that employees should have a statutory entitlement to three days paid paternity leave per child, payable by employers. The Equality Authority supported both majority recommendations. The working group's recommendations are currently being examined in detail by my Department with a view to bringing concrete proposals to Government.
