Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will respond to a query (details supplied) regarding career breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44491/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Legislation is critical in terms of protecting workers and providing a base level of protection. However, in general, conditions of employment in excess of statutory entitlements are determined by negotiation and agreement between employers and employees or a trade union acting on their behalf.

There are already in place a range of statutory entitlements aimed at supporting the goals of making workplaces more family friendly. Legislative measures which provide for statutory entitlements include maternity leave, adoptive leave, carer’s leave and parental leave, along with all the other employment rights legislation.

There is no statutory entitlement to a career break. Rather, an employee is entitled to avail of such leave where a provision exists in the employee’s terms and conditions of employment that provides for career breaks.

In this regard, it is a matter for individual enterprises to establish policies that reflect the reality of the workplace and meet the many diverse needs of employees. This is best achieved through consultation and discussion with the aim of achieving tailor made solutions to the benefit of the workforce and the employer.

Accordingly, I have no plans to introduce legislation to provide for a statutory right to a career break for workers.