Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the statutory allowance period available for maternity benefit for mothers of premature babies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18180/17]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the length of current paternity leave; if it differs in circumstances of premature babies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18181/17]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if regulations are in place requiring an employer policy to support parents of premature babies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18183/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 101, inclusive, together.

As indicated in the Government's response to the recent PMB Motion on this issue, it is my intention to bring legislative proposals to Government, which will provide for statutory leave during the period between a premature birth and the expected date of birth of a child. This leave will be in addition to the current statutory entitlement of 26 weeks’ maternity leave and 2 weeks’ paternity leave.

The Deputy will be aware of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to significantly increase leave afforded to parents during the first year of a child’s life over the next five years. I intend to publish my proposals in that regard this year for inclusion in the Family Leave Bill. The Bill will also review all existing family leave legislation such as parental leave, carer's leave, maternity leave, and adoptive leave and consolidate this legislation into one Act. It will also provide the vehicle to take these two commitments forward.