Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I bring forward this amendment because in the ordinary course, leave legislation provides that employers are not required to make superannuation contributions during an employee's period of leave. This is the case with regard to maternity leave, as governed by section 22 of the Maternity Protection Act 1994, as amended, and parental leave, as governed by section 14 of the Parental Leave Act 1998. It is difficult to understand why this is being approached differently in this Bill, placing a significant burden on employers.

The Government has argued that the leave entitlement is for a much shorter period and, as such, superannuation contributions should be continued. However, although the initial period is for two weeks, the legislation would allow the period to be extended up to and including nine weeks before 2021. It is not an insignificant period. We have moved the amendment to try to keep consistency in how protective legislation is being dealt with or enacted.

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