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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 1

Written Answers. - Gender Balance.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

288 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there is evidence at an international level that males are over-represented in the decision-making process and that this in turn ends in failure to reach solutions through dialogue and negotiation particularly on international issues such as the Middle East and Iraq; and if he will explore further avenues to facilitate women in politics. [28983/03]

Women are under-represented in many decision-making fora, including those dealing with conflict resolution. However, the resolution of the most intractable conflicts in the world is a complex matter, to which the contribution of increased numbers of women, is just one element. Under the equality for women measure of the national development plan, my Department is funding a positive action programme which promotes equality for women in a number of areas, including gender balance in decision making. A sum of €254,000 has been allocated to three political parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. These parties are being funded to develop initiatives designed to increase the participation of women in politics. The Labour Party is also involved in a project being sponsored by Trinity College Dublin.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

289 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the situation in relation to maternity and paternity leave; and if he will consider making paternity leave compulsory in order further to assist equality in society. [28984/03]

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 Departments and agencies. The working group was set up in accordance with commitments in the An Action Programme for the Millennium and the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The report of the working group on the review and improvement of the maternity protection legislation was published in February 2001.

Significant improvements have already resulted from the review of the legislation in that paid maternity leave was increased from 14 weeks to 18 weeks in March 2001 and unpaid maternity leave from four to eight weeks. The outstanding recommendations of the working group have been incorporated into the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill 2003, which was published and initiated in Seanad Éireann on 2 May 2003. The Bill is currently progressing through the Seanad and is scheduled for Committee Stage this afternoon. It is expected to be enacted early in 2004.

The Parental Leave Act 1998 implemented the Parental Leave Directive 96/34/EC. The Act provides for an individual and non-transferable entitlement to both parents for 14 weeks unpaid leave from work to take care of children up to age five years. In accordance with section 28 of the Parental Leave Act 1998 and a commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, my Department chaired a working group which undertook a review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 in 2001. The working group comprised the social partners, relevant Departments and the Equality Authority. The report of the working group on the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 was published on 29 April 2002 and is available at www.justice.ie Paternity leave was considered by the working group, taking into account the following issues: reconciliation of work and family life and balanced participation of men and women in work and family life; cost to employers; and the comparative situation in EU member states.

While acknowledging that a statutory arrangement to provide an entitlement to time off for fathers at the time of childbirth would enhance arrangements for the reconciliation of work and family life, the group could not reach consensus on the issue and there are no plans at present to introduce statutory paternity leave. Notwithstanding the absence of a statutory entitlement, many employees in both the public and private sectors have arrangements in place to provide short periods of paid paternity leave.
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