The Justice Minister says new legislation is being prepared which will increase the amount of parental leave available to each parent per child from 14 weeks to 18 weeks.

The Family Leave Bill also allows for a parent on returning to work from a period of parental leave, to request a change in his or her work pattern.

The employer is required to consider this request, but is not obliged to grant the request.

The legislation will be introduced next March.

'Positive impact' on parents

Speaking today Minister Shatter said "This change has a positive impact on parents, for women in particular, facilitating their participation in the labour force and in protecting their right to resume employment after parental leave".

"The Directive also provides for a parent on returning to work from a period of parental leave to request a change in his or her work pattern. The employer is required to consider this request, but is not obliged to grant the request".

The Minister also said that he will take this opportunity to consolidate all the family leave legislation (maternity, parental, adoptive and carer’s leave) into one Bill.

"This is a significant statute law revision project. The subject matter is of interest to all employees, employers, their representatives, members of the legal profession and agencies dealing with employment-related complaints".

"The consolidation will involve examination of possible discrepancies and anomalies between the various Acts with a view to making the code more accessible and streamlined. This will be a significant statue law consolidation and revision project" he added.