The new Carers' Leave Bill, 2000, will make it possible for workers to become carers temporarily without loss of employment, the Minister of State for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt, said yesterday.
He said the Bill, which was at an advanced stage of drafting, delivered on the undertaking given by the Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The proposals will allow employees to leave their employment temporarily to provide full-time care for a period of 65 weeks.
He described the Bill as a unique and innovative social policy which sought to support people during a difficult period. Discussions were continuing between his Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs regarding the administrative details necessary to bring the carers' leave and carers' benefit schemes into operation.
Under the Bill, carers will not require to be paid by employers while on carers' leave but will have their jobs kept open for them for the duration of the leave. Eligibility for carers' benefit will not be a prerequisite for carers' leave entitlement, but employees who meet the criteria will be entitled to apply to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs for carers' benefit, which will be £88.50 a week.
An employee will need to have a minimum period of service with their employer in order to be eligible for carers' leave. It will also be necessary to have a medical assessment of the person to be cared for.
The Carers' Association said it was disappointed that the Government had not allowed carers to take three years off from paid employment to care for severely incapacitated relatives. The payment of £88.50 a week was "derisory".