Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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575. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will clarify the current parental leave policy; if she will consider a review of the situation, with particular reference to a move towards one year of paid parental leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30605/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Under the Maternity Protection Acts, a mother of a newborn child is entitled to 26 weeks maternity leave, and a benefit is payable under the Social Welfare Acts in respect of that period of leave. A further, optional, period of unpaid leave is also available. Similar arrangements apply in the case of adoption. Under the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) both parents are entitled to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave on the birth or adoption of a child. Such leave may be taken until the child has reached the age of eight years with certain extensions allowed in the case of adoptees and children with a disability or long-term illness.

The Government has approved the drafting of a new Family Leave Bill to consolidate with amendments all existing family leave legislation such as carer’s leave, parental leave, maternity leave, and adoptive leave into one piece of legislation. While the introduction of paid parental leave is not a part of that exercise, active consideration is being given to the introduction of two weeks paid paternity leave - as announced previously by the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.