Adoptive parents are to be granted extra workplace leave to bring their entitlements into line with maternity leave, the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea, has said.
Following on the publication of the Maternity Protection Bill last week, Mr O'Dea said he had secured the agreement of the Government to improve the work leave conditions for parents of adopted children.
In addition to the entitlements shared with natural parents, adoptive parents are to be allowed to attend required preparation classes and pre-adoption meetings during work hours without loss of pay.
Subject to the agreement of their employers, they will be allowed to terminate additional unpaid adoptive leave if they become sick.
If the adopted child is hospitalised, the parent should be allowed to split the period of leave, again with the agreement of their employer.
The new provisions will "enhance leave provisions for both adopting and natural parents", said Mr O'Dea.
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