Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

525. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will commence the provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2707/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and introduces important entitlements for workers, including leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers. The Act also includes provisions to transpose Article 9 of the EU Work Life Balance Directive and provide for a right to request flexible working for parents and carers.

Many of the provisions of the Act have now been commenced, including the introduction, as of 3 July 2023, of leave for medical care purposes for parents and carers and amendments to the Maternity Protection Acts to provide for the extension of breastfeeding breaks. An order amending regulations relating to breastfeeding breaks made under the Maternity Protection Acts was also made on that date.

The legislative provisions introducing domestic violence leave commenced on 27 November 2023. Section 7 of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 inserts a new Section 13AA into the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) to provide for five days paid domestic violence leave in any 12 month period. As previously announced, victims of domestic violence will receive their full pay if they need to take domestic violence leave. My Department has also commissioned Women’s Aid to develop supports for employers to develop their own domestic violence workplace policies.

The right to request flexible working for parents and carers will be commenced following the preparation of a Code of Practice by the Workplace Relations Commission under Part 4. Commencement of Part 3 and Part 4 are for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

My Department is engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with a view to commencing the remaining provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 at the earliest possible opportunity.