Arthur Morgan
Question:211 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether fathers here are discriminated against by the non-availability of paid paternity leave. [39490/08]
View answerWednesday, 12 November 2008
Questions (143)
Written answers
My Department, in consultation with the social partners, is examining the issue of paternity leave as part of a review of maternity, parental and paternity leave as promised in the Agreed Programme for Government and the Social Partnership agreement "Towards 2016". I expect to receive a report on the outcome of the deliberations in the near future.
The issue of the introduction of a statutory entitlement to paternity leave was examined before, in 2002, by a working group made up of representatives of the social partners and relevant State bodies, as part of the review of the Parental Leave Act, 1998. The working group could not reach a consensus on the issue.