Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the arrangements for maternity leave within the public bodies under the aegis of his Department; if he will consider providing an additional eight weeks' paid leave in regard to maternity leave; the likely cost thereof; the likely cost to the Exchequer of six weeks' paid parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12733/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The application of the statutory provisions in regard to maternity leave is a day-to-day matter for the bodies under the aegis of my Department. I have no plans to request them to provide additional paid maternity leave and accordingly have not costed such a proposal.

While I have no responsibility for the legislation in regard to parental leave, I understand there is no entitlement to paid parental leave under the terms of existing legislation. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is currently bringing the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 before the Houses of the Oireachtas.