John Brady
Ceist:334. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the legislation he will introduce in this term of Dáil Éireann. [11822/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 May 2016
Ceisteanna (334)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government sets out the key priorities for the Government for its term in office.
My Department’s normal legislative cycle involves the enactment of two or more Social Welfare Bills each year:
- a Bill, usually in December each year, whose primary focus is to implement the social welfare changes announced in the October Budget: and
- a Bill, usually early Summer each year, to provide a legal basis within the social welfare code for policy, administrative and operational changes (and Budget measures, if required).
My Department is also responsible for a number of other areas of legislation including civil registration and occupational and private pensions.
Currently, the most pressing legislative issue relates to the introduction of the legal underpinning for the planned introduction of paternity benefit and paternity leave. The Paternity Leave and Paternity Benefit Bill, which provides for the introduction of an entitlement of two weeks paternity leave and the associated social welfare payment of paternity benefit, is being brought forward as a priority Bill by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. My Department is working closely with the Department of Justice and Equality on this legislation. These provisions are due to be in place from September 2016, as announced in Budget 2016.