MJ O'Connor Solicitors

The Brief

18.03.2007

Taking care of the family

Maternity and Adoptive Leave

The Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004 and the Adoptive Leave Acts 1995 and 2005 has been amended to bring into effect the increases in maternity and adoptive leave.

The increased entitlements are summarised as follows:

From 01.03.06
Maternity Leave: 22 weeks
Additional Unpaid Maternity: 12 weeks
Adoptive Leave: 20 weeks
Additional Unpaid Adoptive Leave: 12 weeks

From 01.03.07
Maternity Leave: 26 weeks
Additional Unpaid Maternity: 16 weeks
Adoptive Leave: 24 weeks
Additional Unpaid Adoptive Leave: 16 weeks

New Parental Leave

Since May 2006 there is an amendment in the Parental Leave Legislations to provide for increased flexibility in taking parental leave. The fourteen week leave may now be taken in separate blocks of a minimum of six continuous weeks or on more favourable terms with the agreement of the employer. Parental leave may also be transferred from one parent to another where the parents work for the same employer subject to the employer’s agreement.

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