Shortly before Christmas, the Government announced its intention to draft a Family Leave Bill, which will transpose the EU Parental Leave Directive and consolidate all family leave legislation into one accessible Act. The Directive increases the parental leave available to each parent from 14 weeks to 18 weeks per child and must be transposed into Irish law by 8 March 2013. The Minister has stated that the change will have a positive impact on parents, and on women in particular, facilitating their participation in the labour force and protecting their right to resume employment after parental leave.
Contributed by Catherine O’Flynn and Maryrose Dillon.
