Parental Leave Bill 2005

V1llianous

Hi all,

I heard on the news this morning that one of the first things the government is doing since returning from the summer is to try and pass a new parental leave bill.

As an expectant father in January I am wondering if anyone has links or info on what is being proposed compared to the current entitlements (or lack thereof !)

Cheers.

Nevyn

http://www.rollercoaster.ie/pregnancy_birth/paternal_leave1.asp

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/employment/holidays_and_leave/paternity_leave.html?search=paternal+leave

Paternity leave is not recognised in employment law in Ireland. In other words, employers are not obliged to grant male employees special paternity leave (either paid or unpaid) following the birth of their child. Annual leave taken following the birth of a child is treated in employment law in the same way as leave taken at any other time of the year. It is at the discretion of the employer to decide who can and cannot take annual leave at a given time.

Some employers in Ireland, however, (for example, the Civil Service), do provide a period of paid leave from work for male employees following the birth or adoption of their child. Fathers employed in the Civil Service are entitled to a period of special 3 day (paternal) leave with pay in respect of children born on or after 1st January, 2000 or for children adopted after 1st January 2000.

Nevyn

Norway 4 weeks paternity leave ("use it or lose it")
Finland 18 days paid paternity (proposing to raise it to 25 days)
Denmark 14 days paid paternity
France 2 weeks paid paternity
Italy 2 weeks paid paternity
UK 2 weeks paid paternity (from 2003)

Sweden 10 days paternity leave
Austria 10 days paid paternity
Portugal 5 days paternity
Belgium 3 days paid paternity
Spain 2 days paternity
Holland 2 days paid paternity
Luxembourg 2 days paid paternity

Ireland NO entitlements to paternity leave

CJhaughey

Yes, Unfortunately yet again Ireland can hold it's hand up at the the very bottom of the European Union with regard to the Family.
I was lucky I have an understanding employer and was allowed a week leave when my son was born, but I really feel for those who are less fortunate.
How do you suggest this is changed? do you ask the local TD?

V1llianous

I do have an employer who's policy is for 5 days paid parental leave and this thread is making me realise what a rarity that is - so I am grateful.

My initial post was to see if anyone knew what was being proposed in the new bill that was being tabled now.

Nevyn

http://www.equality.ie/index.asp?locID=207&docID=283&COMMAND=PRINTER

The Parental Leave Bill reflects the review of the Parental Leave Act 1998 carried out with the social partners in 2002. It seeks to raise the maximum age of the eligible child to eight years (sixteen years in the case of a child with disabilities). It extends parental leave entitlement to those acting in loco parentis (an important development for foster parents and same sex partners). It also allows the leave to be taken in separate blocks.

However the Bill reflects a very limited response to the needs of those seeking to combine work and caring responsibilities. It will not address the low take up of this leave entitlement. It will not address the imbalance in the small numbers of men availing of this leave. The key failures in this regard are that the Bill does not extend the period of leave that can be taken, it does not introduce a payment for this leave period and it does not allow for paternity leave to be taken.

http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/bills28/bills/2004/5804/document1.htm

That was the bil from 2004.
looking at
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=-1&CatID=59&m=b
there are no bills for this year with that mandate.

Tazz T

I was fortunate to be allowed a week also. But I had to negotiate and forego a payrise.

It's a sad indictment of our government.

The UK is looking at increasing parental leave to 9 months to be shared between both parents as from next year.

That's how far we're behind.