Vol. 444 No. 1
128 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform his views on whether maternity leave should be available in the case of the adoption of a baby; the proposals, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Programme for a Partnership Government included a commitment to provide adoptive maternity leave. As a result, I introduced the Adoptive Leave Bill recently. The Bill provides for a maternity leave entitlement of ten weeks from the date of placement of a child with an optional four weeks leave thereafter on a similar basis to that provided in respect of working mothers who give birth.
