§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what provision is available to employees of his Department for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case; [27586]
(2) what provision is available to employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department for (a) maternity leave (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (l) workplace nurseries, (m) child care allowances, (n) carers' leave and (o) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [27587]
§ Sir John WheelerThe information requested is as follows:
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Subject Provision Main eligibility criteria a. maternity leave b. maternity pay 3 months and 1 week paid leave for monthly paid staff and 14 weeks for weekly paid staff Available to permanent staff who intend to return to work after childbirth, are in paid service at the time maternity leave begins and have rendered at least one year's such service. c. paternity leave 2 days' paid leave Available to all male officers. d. parental leave No specific provision. However in cases of urgent domestic distress, at Departmental or Agency discretion: (i) paid leave to a maximum of 5 days(ii) unpaid leave All staff are eligible to apply. Each application is considered sympathetically and a decision taken on the circumstances of the individual case, having regard to the effect of such leave on the business needs of Departments and Agencies. e. flexible working hours Flexible systems for the attendance of staff are widely available providing scope for individuals to vary times of arrival and departure, length and timing of lunch break and to take time off if they work additional hours. Available to all staff unless, exceptionally, such provision would have an adverse effect on overall efficiency.
Subject Provision Main eligibility criteria f. part-time work Available at Departmental or Agency discretion. All staff are eligible to apply. Each application is considered on the basis of the ability of Departments and Agencies to provide the facility requested and its effect on their business needs, but no request is refused unless there is appropriate objective justification. g. job-sharing Available at Departmental or Agency discretion. As for part-time work (f) above. h. leave to care for sick children Paid and unpaid leave available at Departmental or Agency discretion. As for parental leave (d) above. i. home-working j. term-time contracts Available at Departmental or Agency discretion in a limited number of areas at present, with consideration being given to wider application. Where appropriate, applications are considered taking account of the circumstances of the individual case and having regard to the effect on the business needs of the Department or Agency. k. annual hours contracts Not available. — l. workplace nurseries Available on a limited basis, for the children of staff working in the Northern Ireland Office, London (See also Note 1) Places allocated in order of application. m. childcare allowances At Departmental or Agency discretion where this can be justified on value for money grounds. At present the Child Support Agency and the Department of the Environment provide assistance towards the cost of an employee placing a child in a nursery of the parent's choice. (i) one of the parents/guardians must be an employee of the Department or Agency; (ii) the nursery must be registered with the relevant Health and Social Services Board; (iii) the allowance is payable only until the child begins primary school. n. carers' leave At Department of Agency discretion (i) paid leave to a maximum of 5 days; (ii) unpaid leave. As for parental leave (d) above. o. career break schemes At Departmental or Agency discretion unpaid leave may be granted for any period from one year up to a maximum of 5 years. All staff are eligible to apply. Career Breaks are available for most purposes including further education, domestic responsibilities, starting a business, maintaining a family business or a stay abroad. Currently eight holiday play schemes, which are open to the children of all staff are assited financially by the Department Finance and Personnel.