Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has conducted a review of the provision here of rights and of financial supports for flexible parental leave which could allow parents to better balance their family and work responsibilities; the way the provision in Ireland in his area of responsibility compares with best practice, for example, in Scandinavian countries or in France; and if measures to strengthen Ireland's provision in this respect will form a part of his five year strategy for his Department. [25292/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department commissioned research under the Government's Families Research Programme entitled "Balancing Work and Family Life: the role of flexible working arrangements." The report of this study was launched in December 2000.

This study looked at the role of flexible working arrangements in helping families reconcile their working lives with family responsibilities. The report highlighted that flexible working arrangements, when implemented effectively, can provide benefits to both employees and employers. It found that across the EU there is a growing recognition that fundamental changes in the labour market, rapidly changing technologies and other economic and social factors focus attention on the potential role to be played by more active promotion of flexible working arrangements.

Although the report did not investigate the issue of related financial supports, it did point out the considerable onus on individual employers to respond to changing labour market conditions by offering and extending flexible working arrangements. It also highlighted the important role of Government Departments and agencies working with employers and trade unions in taking forward the development of family friendly initiatives. In particular in this regard, it highlighted the role of the national framework committee for work-life balance policies.

The national framework committee for work-life balance policies, under the auspices of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, includes representatives from a range of Government Departments and Agencies, as well as representatives from the Trade Union movement. This group is charged with overseeing the promotion of work/life balance policies at the level of the enterprise and also hosts the website www.worklifebalance.ie