The General Scheme of the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Local Authority Elected Members) Bill 2022 was approved by Government on 27 July 2022 and is published herewith on the Government website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4258f-general-scheme-of-local-government-maternity-protection-and-other-measures-for-local-authority-elected-members-bill-2022/.
The Bill was before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage for pre-legislative scrutiny on 22 September 2022 and I received the Joint Oireachtas Committee's Report on 28 October 2022. The recommendations therein are under consideration in my Department as drafting of the Bill is finalised.
The Bill will be published once approved by Government and will progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas having regard to the overall Government legislative programme.