Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2012
175 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the provision in the laws of other EU countries, including Britain, for fathers to share a portion of the mothers’ maternity leave; if he will consider making a similar provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4625/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is fully compliant with the requirements of the current EU Directive on Maternity Leave and I have no proposals to transfer any portion of existing maternity leave for mothers as suggested by the Deputy. However I would make the point that my Department is currently working on the transposition of the EU Parental Leave Directive which provides for 18 weeks of parental leave for both mothers and fathers; of which four weeks cannot be transferred between parents.
My Department is currently working in consultation with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the consolidation of all existing family leave legislation into one Act. This will also provide an opportunity to examine the scope for improvement in current provisions in the area of maternity, adoptive, parental and paternity leave.
