452. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make changes to the provision of maternity leave (details supplied). [46540/15]

Currently, maternity leave extends to 26 weeks paid with a social welfare benefit and a further entitlement to 16 weeks unpaid leave immediately afterwards. These periods are towards the upper end of the European range of entitlements and I have no plans to extend them further. The Deputy will be aware however that the Government has decided that two weeks' paternity leave will be introduced from September next.