Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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183. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects to fully transpose the Work Life Balance Directive (EU) 2019/1158; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4996/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The date for transposition of Directive 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council on work-life balance for parents and carers is 2nd August 2022. The Directive, atArticle 20 provides a two-year extension, up to 2nd August 2024 for Member States to implement the final two weeks of paid parental leave provided for under Article 5. Ireland fully expects to meet these transposition deadlines.

While many of the provisions of the Directive are already in place or have been implemented, there remain a small number yet to be translated into Irish law and procedures.

Legislative proposals to transpose the remaining Articles:

- Articles 6which requires each worker to a right to carers’ leave of five working days per year; and

- Article 9which provides workers who are parents of children up to at least 8 years old, and carers under the Directive, with a right to request flexible working arrangements,

are currently being prepared and will be brought to Government in the coming months. It is anticipated that these will be in place in advance of the 2nd August 2022 transposition deadline.

As announced in budget 2022, parent's leave and benefit, which is the paid parental leave required under Article 5of the Directive, will be increased by a further two weeks to seven weeks, in the coming months. This will be done by way of Regulation as provided for under the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended). The final two weeks required under the Directive will be in place in advance of the 2nd August 2024 transposition deadline.