Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
465. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he envisions the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 will be enacted, given it was signed into law on 4 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46114/23]
View answerThe Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023. Many of the provisions of the Act have now been commenced, including the introduction, as of 3 July 2023, of leave for medical care purposes for parents and carers and amendments to the Maternity Protection Acts to provide for the extension of breastfeeding breaks. An order amending regulations relating to breastfeeding breaks made under the Maternity Protection Acts was also made on that date.
It is planned to commence the legislative provisions introducing domestic violence leave on 27 November 2023. Section 7 of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 inserts a new Section 13AA into the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) to provide for five days paid domestic violence leave. As previously announced, victims of domestic violence will receive their full pay if they need to take domestic violence leave.
My Department has also commissioned Women’s Aid to develop supports for employers to develop their own domestic violence workplace policies and these will be published in advance of the commencement of the leave.
The right to request flexible working for parents and carers will be commenced following the preparation of a Code of Practice by the Workplace Relations Commission under Part 4. Commencement of Part 3 and Part 4 are for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
