Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
506. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase the age of a qualifying child in relation to parental leave from eight to 12 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15101/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Section 6 of the Parental Leave Act 1998 provides for 18 weeks unpaid parental leave for a child up to the age of eight, or 16 years of age in the case of a child with a serious illness or disability.
I can advise the Deputy that there are no current plans to increase the age for parental leave beyond eight years of age. However this is an issue which may be considered in the current broader discussions on parental leave. As the Deputy is aware, an inter-departmental working group is currently working on a report in relation to the introduction of paid parental leave and is due to report at the end of this month.
