Parental leave: When will age limit extend to 8 from 5?

I know that Maternity Leave will increase by 4 weeks unpaid in 2006 + an extra for 4 unpaid in 2007 but .... in relation to Parental Leave when will the age limit to apply for it be increased.

At the moment, you have to apply for Parental Leave before the child reach the age of 5 and for the last two years, I am hearing that it will be increasing to 8, is it happening or not ????

I think that that already some civil servant can apply for it before the age of 8 but on the private sector, it is still the age of 5.

<thread edited and posts slightly reworked by ajapale 9/12/05>

Re: Parental leave

As far as I know ..

I too am waiting for them to push the threshold age out to 8. I believe that Brian Lenihan has made a commitment to get it into law in 2006, but it is not there yet.

Perhaps his Department's website would have more details ?

It is nothing to do with Budget 2005.

added later

From Department of Justice document " EMPLOYMENT EQUALITY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR: Parental Leave legislation amended and certified restatements of the amended Parental Leave, Adoptive Leave, Maternity Protection and Employment Equality Acts published by end 2006."

Re: Parental leave

I was in touch this afternoon with the Equality and Diversity Unit at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform regarding the revised Parental Leave legislation.

Staff in the Department informed me today that at present, the proposed revised Parental Leave Act has passed through the Seanad and is now at Committee Stage in the Dail. This means of course that the law is still not in effect and the entitlement to Parental Leave remains the same as under the 1998 Parental Leave Act. (In other words, children must be under 5 years, etc.).

It is currently impossible to say when the new legislation will be brought into effect but it is more likely to be 2006 - but when exactly in 2006 is a matter for the members of the Oireachtas.

The speed at which legislation progresses through the Oireachtas is dependent on a number of issues (i.e., when it is listed for discussion, suggested amendments and revisions, drafting, etc.).

If you are concerned about the revised Parental Leave Act - I advise anyone to contact their TD or Senator about the matter. Members of the Oireachtas are ultimately the ones who will vote to introduce new legislation and it is up to them to finally approve the new law. Contact information for your local TD is avialble in your telephone directory.

In the meantime, if I hear anything further - I'll post again on the matter.

CMCR

Re: Parental leave

Thanks CMCR and TarfH,

Im moving this to the jobs and careers section from the Budget 2006 section.

aj