(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations amend the Parental Leave Act, 1998 to extend entitlement to parental leave to -

(i) natural parents of children born between 3 December, 1993 and 2 June, 1996, and

(ii) adoptive parents of children born on or after 3 December 1993, and in whose case an adoption order was made between 3 December, 1993 and 2 June, 1996.

Parents are entitled to 14 weeks parental leave in respect of each child and must avail of their new entitlement to parental leave not later than 31 December, 2001.

A number of consequential amendments are also made to the Act.