Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the revised parental leave policy is coming into effect; and if parents of an eight year old child or older will be entitled to take leave. [11449/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2004 provides for a range of improvements to the existing parental leave legislation which will offer greater flexibility to working parents. These include provisions to raise the maximum age of the eligible child from five to eight years and an increase in the maximum age of the eligible child to 16 years in the case of children with disabilities.

The Bill, which has been passed by the Seanad, is currently awaiting Dáil Report and Final Stages. While the scheduling of the Bill is a matter for the Oireachtas, I expect the Bill to be enacted in the coming weeks. The provisions of the Bill will be commenced on enactment.