Carer's Leave

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Ceisteanna (325)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

325. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an extension of carer’s leave will be considered for the parents and guardians of children with disabilities who will need additional support transitioning back to school or with special educational needs and violent–challenging behaviour (details supplied) due to the lack of available childcare and the inability of many carers to return to work as a result of the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8850/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave. Any such amendments would likely require primary legislation.

I am conscious of demands on parents at this time and hope that the additional measures to support working parents that I have introduced in recent years are helping to ease some of these demands.

For example, from 1 September 2016, under the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act, fathers are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave and benefit. From 1 October 2017, the duration of maternity leave and benefit has been extended in cases where a baby is born prematurely. From 1 November 2019, under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act, new parents are entitled to two weeks each of parent’s leave and benefit, to be taken within the first year of a child’s life.  On 1 September 2019, under the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act, unpaid parental leave was increased from 18 weeks to 26 weeks.