Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on activities organised or funded by his Department for work life balance day on 1 March 2007; the changes he has made to policy in relation to staff in his Department to improve work life balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8326/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department fully supports work life balance initiatives and has been to the forefront in the Public Service in introducing and developing many of the work life balance schemes and initiatives that are currently available to staff in this Department.

In support of Work Life Balance Day 2007, the Work Options Unit in my Department, in association with the Health and Safety Unit, and the Employee Assistance Service, organised a number of talks throughout the Department on the following topics: Lifeskills for Work/Life Balance, and Nutrition. The talks took place in several locations in Dublin, and in Kilkenny on Thursday 1st March 2007. Staff were advised of and encouraged to attend these talks. Additional information regarding the Work Life Balance options available to them was also circulated to all staff.

Work life balance is an issue that affects all of us, and is not just an issue for people with young children. More and more, work-life balance options are becoming increasingly important for employees seeking to reconcile their various responsibilities outside the workplace with their work life. In recognition of the importance of assisting staff to achieve a better balance between their work and family lives, the Work Options Unit has been established in my Department for a number of years now. The Unit has direct responsibility for dealing with all work life balance initiatives and applications for the various leave schemes, listed below, that are currently available to staff members.

One of the most recent changes is that of Maternity Leave. From 1st March, an increase in entitlement means that Women can avail of 26 weeks paid Maternity Leave and 16 weeks unpaid Maternity Leave. Adoptive leave is also increased from 1st March, people who adopt can avail of 24 weeks paid Adoptive Leave and 16 weeks unpaid Adoptive Leave. This leave commences on the day of placement of the child with the adopting parent.

Relevant information concerning a range of work life initiatives is also available on the Department's Intranet. These include:

Adoptive Leave

Annual Leave

Bereavement Leave

Carer's Leave

Flexi Leave

Force Majeure Leave

Jury Service Leave

Marriage Leave

Maternity Leave

Parental Leave

Paternity Leave

Union Leave

Term Time Leave

8 weeks

10 weeks

13 weeks

Worksharing

Four Day Week

Three Day Week

Week On/Week Off

Split Week

Mornings Only

Afternoons Only

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Working Day

Three weeks on / One week off over a four week period