Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Public Holidays.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

100 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of public holidays each year; the way in which this compares to the EU average; the plans, if any, she has to increase the number; if she will make International Women's Day a public holiday; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25039/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

The Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, sets out the statutory rights for employees in respect of holiday entitlements. The Act provides for the following nine public holidays per year: 1 January, New Year's Day; St. Patrick's Day; Easter Monday; the first Monday in May; the first Monday in June; the first Monday in August; the first Monday in October; Christmas Day; and St. Stephen's Day.

The average public holiday entitlement in the EU at present is approximately 11 days annually.

The Government has already approved the designation of 31 December 1999 as a special once-off public holiday to commemorate the millennium.

The Government recognises and values deeply the great contribution rendered by women to the betterment of society both in Ireland and throughout the world. Accordingly, it welcomes the designation by the UN of International Women's Day on 8 March 2000 as a day on which to call world attention to, and to celebrate, that great contribution. However, there are no plans to mark International Women's Day, or indeed, any other days in the foreseeable future as public holidays.