asked the Taoiseach if he will state in detail in relation to each semi-State body associated with his Department, what arrangements, if any, exist for the provision of paid maternity leave for their employees; and, in the case of any which do not have such arrangements, the steps he proposes to take to see that such arrangements are made.

Paid maternity leave is applicable to the secretarial assistants in An Chomhairle Ealaíon, which is the only non-Civil-Service body under the aegis of my Department. The extension of such leave to other classes of staff employed by that body is a matter for negotiation.