Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No. It is open to any employer to go beyond the five days. It was the Minister, Deputy Harris, I think, who took the initiative in respect of the third level sector regarding the ten-day leave. These matters are kept under review. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth looked internationally at how this has worked out in different jurisdictions. The average sought in Australia was three days, as it turned out. As I said, this is the first time this measure has been introduced. It is important we get it through and I have no doubt we will do so. The facility will always be there to extend that, as it is for various provisions. It is open to employers and State employers to go beyond the five days as part of the policy of any given employer. That is what has happened in the third level sector.