Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy intends to amend the age limits for a child to which the entitlement for leave for medical care purposes and to request the flexible working arrangement. The age limits for relevant parents to request a flexible working arrangement for care purposes are aligned with the age limits for the existing parental leave. The leave can be taken before the child's 12th birthday, or 16th birthday if the child has a disability or long-term illness or the arrangements can be put in place up until the child's 12th birthday, or 16th birthday in the case of disability. The directive referred to the age of eight years as the limit for a child, so we have gone beyond that limit.

In addition, under the Bill, a relevant person can also qualify to request a flexible working arrangement where he or she provides personal care and support to his or her child for a serious medical reason. This is regardless of the age of the child and it may also be an adult child. In all those circumstances, the employer may extend the flexible working arrangement beyond the age provided for.

As the entitlements provided for under the Bill would apply to a child of any age where there is a need, I do not see a particular benefit that can be gained from this set of amendments.