James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I begin my statement today by welcoming all present to the Seanad. I thank Members for having me to provide a statement on this motion on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman.

The Government continually has a strong commitment to achieving gender equality in Ireland through a variety of actions, which is a key tenet of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s mission towards a fair and inclusive society where everyone can reach his or her full potential. One way that this can be achieved is by ensuring that family leave meets the needs of working parents and families throughout Ireland. The Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, and the Department have already made great strides in improving leave entitlements for working families. Since the formation of this Government we have increased parent's leave and benefit from two weeks to the current entitlement of seven weeks, enabling parents to spend time away from work and know they will be financially supported. As Members are aware from the subject of the debate today, the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, has laid a motion to expand this entitlement even further, to nine weeks' paid leave in total, as required by the EU work-life balance directive. It is hoped that this increase will further support working parents and improve equality for those with caring responsibilities in the home, with both parents able to take the additional two weeks' leave from 1 August 2024, to be used before their child turns two years of age.

This is just one of the measures that the Government is taking to expand entitlement to family leave for working families in recent years. Parental leave was increased in 2019 from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, and the period in which the leave can be taken was extended from when the child attains the age of eight years to when the child attains the age of 12 years. Where the child has a disability or long-term illness, parental leave can be taken up to when the child reaches the age of 16.

Further significant developments to family leaves were introduced under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Notably, this Act introduced five days' leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12 years of age and for carers, as well as the right to request flexible working for parents and carers. Such flexible working arrangements will allow parents and carers to alter their working day or pattern to care for children or others for whom they have caring responsibilities.Under this Act, all employees now have the right to request remote working from their employer. The Workplace Relations Commission has prepared a code of practice which includes guidance for employees, and employers, on this new entitlement.

This Act also expanded the entitlement to breastfeeding or lactation breaks from six months to two years, following the birth of the child. This is a further important support for mothers returning to the workforce.

In addition, five days domestic violence leave over a period of 12 months is now available to employees who are experiencing domestic violence, to be paid at 100% of the employee's normal rate, to ensure that their economic situation is not altered. The Department commissioned Women’s Aid to develop supports for employers to ensure that this leave is embedded within a robust workplace policy.

As I hope I have demonstrated by my statement today, family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families. This Government remains committed to ensuring parents and families are supported.

Today, I move that parent's leave and benefit be expanded from its current entitlement of seven weeks to nine weeks from 1 August 2024. This increase will allow parents to spend more time with their baby during the crucial formative years. This leave is to be taken within the first two years of the child’s life.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, is committed to working closely with our colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Humphreys, to deliver this increase so that new parents can be assured the State will continually work for them.

I thank Senators for the opportunity to speak in Chamber today as we mark another significant increase in family leave provisions for working families. This provision signifies our continued commitment to achieving gender equality in our society today.