Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to parental leave, he will examine the question of having no age limit for children with special needs when eligibility of parents for leave is being considered. [9586/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The circumstances of parents of children with disabilities was considered in the context of the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 conducted by a working group chaired by my Department. In its 2002 report, the working group, which comprised the social partners, relevant Departments and the Equality Authority, recommended raising the age of eligibility in respect of a child with a disability to 16 years.

Section 2 (2)(c) of the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004, which is awaiting Second Stage in the Dáil, will implement a commitment made in Sustaining Progress in accordance with the recommendation of the working group to increase the age limit to 16 years in the case of a child with a disability.