Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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272. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is leave to allow family members to take off work in circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13338/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The main purpose of the Carer’s Leave Act 2001 is to provide an entitlement for an employee to avail of unpaid leave from his/her employment to enable him/her to personally provide full-time care and attention for a person who is in need of such care. The period of leave to which an employee is entitled is subject to a maximum of 104 weeks in respect of any one care recipient and the minimum statutory entitlement is 13 weeks. An employer may refuse, with good reason, an application for carer's leave for a period of less than 13 weeks.

A person availing of carer’s leave may also qualify for Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance. The payment of benefits is a matter for the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

There are no plans at present to amend the provisions of the Carer's Leave Act.

In certain limited circumstances force majeure leave may also be available.

Employees and employers should engage to ensure that sufficient flexibility is shown to manage both work life balance and business needs at this time.