Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2012
224 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will consider changing the time restrictions for carer’s leave to allow applicants to stay on this scheme for a longer time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12424/12]
View answerThe Carer's Leave provisions 2001 to 2006 provide that a person may take leave to care for a person, who is deemed by the Department of Social Protection to be in need of such care. The original provisions of the 2001 Carer's Leave Act were amended by Section 48 of the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Act 2006 which increased Carer's leave from 65 to 104 weeks. I have no plans at the moment to extend the statutory maximum further. Under the terms of the Act however, the employer and employee may agree to arrangements for Carer's leave that are more favourable to the employee than those set out in the Act.
