John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 637: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the statutory situation regarding paternity leave; his plans to introduce paternity leave as currently it is not recognised in employment law in Ireland and employers are not obliged to grant male employees special paternity leave, either paid or unpaid, following the birth of their child. [27556/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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My Department is currently working on the draft Heads of the Family Leave Bill which will transpose Council Directive 2010/18/EU. Among other things this new legislation will provide for an additional 4 weeks parental leave for both mothers and fathers. This Bill will also consolidate all various family leave legislation (maternity, adoptive, parental and carer's leave) in one Bill. This will also provide an opportunity to examine whether there is scope for additional improvements in current provisions in the area of leave for fathers.