Workers who need time off to care for a friend or relative will qualify for up to 65 weeks' leave under legislation taking effect this week.
The Carer's Leave Act 2001 requires employers to grant unpaid leave to approved carers, and to hold their jobs open until the end of the care period. This can be for a continuous duration of 65 weeks, or an aggregate of shorter periods.
Applicants must have 12 months' service in the job, and the care recipient's need for full-time attention must be medically assessed. The carer does not have to be related to the recipient.
Announcing the implementation of the Act yesterday, the Minister of State with responsibility for Labour, Mr Tom Kitt, said it complemented the carer's benefit legislation introduced last October. The benefit provides weekly financial support of £96.50 to persons who give up employment to care full-time. Eligibility for the benefit is not a prerequisite for carer's leave.
A copy of the Act together with a summary of its provisions and an information booklet is available on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website at www.entemp.ie.