Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Transport 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. [12736/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Public bodies under the aegis of my Department are entitled to the statutory allowances. This amounts to 18 weeks paid maternity leave and an optional eight weeks unpaid maternity leave. The Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 introduced a wide range of improvements to maternity protection legislation. These improvements, while welcome, will increase costs in the public service, as they will for all employers, and there are no plans for any further improvements to the maternity leave arrangements.