Written Answers Nos. 397-399
397. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans, to change the arrangements for maternity leave, paternity leave and parental leave; if any of these anticipated changes will take place during 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37894/24]
View answerIn terms of changes to Maternity leave, I received Government approval in July for the drafting of a Bill to allow mothers who require treatment for a very serious illness to postpone their maternity leave for a period of time. The proposed legislation will also introduce, for the first time, a form of maternity leave for members of the Oireachtas.
The text of the bill is currently being finalised, and I intend to publish it very shortly and bring it through the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks. It is my intention that this legislation be in place as soon as possible in order to allow seriously ill mothers to postpone their maternity leave, focus on their treatment, and retain that precious time with their baby.
There have been significant developments in the entitlements to family leaves for working families in recent years. The Government committed in the Programme for Government to supporting parents, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their baby during the first year.
Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parents are now entitled to nine weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Parent's Leave is an individual separate entitlement and is non-transferable between parents.
Parental leave entitlements were also extended in 2019 with an increase of leave from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, and the extension of the time period in which the leave can be taken from when the child attains the age of 8 years to when the child attains the age of 12 years.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and introduces important entitlements for workers, including leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families. Given the recent expansions and additions to family leaves and workplace supports in the last number of years, there are no further plans to amend paternity or parental leave at this time.
398. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress of the special schools pilot, which will provide delivery of in-school therapy supports to children in selected special schools; the timeframe for different stages of this pilot; and whether it is planned to roll it out to all special schools. [37904/24]
View answerSince 2021 the Government has sought to reinstate the pre-existing on-site health and social care supports to special schools. Between 2021 and 2022 Government provided funding for the reinstatement of 223 posts that had been historically provided. While some services have been reinstated, it is acknowledged that progress has been affected by the shortage of health and social care professionals. The focus of the Special Schools pilot that I jointly launched on August 9th is to provide the effective delivery of enhanced in-school therapy supports to children in selected special schools.
6 schools have been selected for the initial phase of the pilot with 10 others to be added in time. The initial six special schools selected to participate in the pilot were chosen following detailed engagement between officials in my Department, the Department of Education, the HSE and the NCSE, based on where the needs profile of the children identified as greatest from an educational perspective, and where resourcing is not currently available in proportion to these needs.
There are a further 10 schools to be selected in the full Pilot and efforts to bring clarity on that phase are underway, with an expectation that a decision will be made by end of October.
The Pilot, particularly the outcomes and benefits arising, will be evaluated by relevant stakeholders at the end of the school year.
399. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will support an organisation's campaign by advocating for a €15 million increase in youth work funding in Budget 2025, in recognition of the vital role youth work plays in the development and wellbeing of young people across Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37952/24]
View answerI am cognisant of the campaign referenced by the Deputy, and the submission is being reviewed within my Department.
Budget 2025 is currently being considered by Government in the context of the annual estimates process. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
However, from 2020 to Budget 2024, current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.79 million to €77.95 million, a 26% increase overall.
My Department has made a significant investment in youth services in 2024, building on the increases in recent years and securing the achievements into the future. The current funding for youth services and programmes in my Department this year is €77.95 million, an increase of €5 million, or 6.8%, on the 2023 budget.
In the context of Budget 2025, I am committed to supporting this important sector which provides positive and transformative opportunities and supports to young people.
