Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 2

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

94 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the promised legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the report of the working group on the review and improvement of the maternity legislation, which was published in February 2001, will be published and enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23727/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

A review of the maternity protection legislation was carried out in 2000 by a working group, chaired by my Department, which comprised the social partners and relevant Government Departments and agencies. The group's recommendation to increase the periods of maternity and additional maternity leave was implemented very shortly after the publication of its report in February 2001. The increases were announced in budget 2001 and implemented with effect from March 2001. Identical increases were simultaneously applied to the adoptive leave entitlement.

In December 2000, the Government approved the implementation of the other recommendations of the working group by amendment of the existing legislation through statutory instrument or primary legislation, as appropriate. At that time, the Government also decided to amend the Adoptive Leave Act, 1995, to reflect the proposed changes to the Maternity Protection Act, 1994, where appropriate. On 17 July 2002, Government approval was obtained for the drafting of a Bill to give effect to the remaining recommendations of the working group. The Bill in relation to the amendment of the Maternity Leave Act, 1994, is currently with the Parliamentary Counsel. It is expected that the Bill will be published early next year and enacted as soon as possible afterwards.