David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I pointed out, in the case of paternity, paid maternity and paid adoptive leave, all employment rights, except the right to remuneration, are preserved while the person is on leave. In the case of unpaid maternity or adoptive leave and unpaid parental leave under the 1998 Act, in addition to the remuneration, superannuation benefits and contributions are not preserved. This amendment would apply the latter regime to the parent's leave, which is paid. The Deputy might be conflating the two processes for paid and unpaid leave. We are introducing a paid leave, as opposed to an unpaid leave, as the Deputy referenced. It is the reason I am not inclined to accept the amendment and I ask the Deputy to consider withdrawing it.

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