Roderic O'Gorman

Part 1, Part 2, other than sections 7, 8, 12 (a), 13 and 14, and sections 32 to 39 of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 will be commenced on Monday 3 July 2023.

As part of the legislation, the entitlement to breastfeeding breaks will be extended from the current period of six months — a time which coincides with maternity leave — up to two years.

In addition to this, parents and carers will be entitled to a new right to unpaid leave for medical purposes.

The government said it plans to commence the legislative provisions introducing domestic violence leave in the autumn.

The right to request flexible working for parents and carers will be commenced following the preparation of a code of practice by the Workplace Relations Commission under Part 4.

Children’s minister Roderic O’Gorman said: “The Work Life Balance Act is about helping make sure that our work lives reflect the reality of our personal lives, particularly for parents and carers.

“By extending breastfeeding breaks to two years after the birth of the child, we can support women returning to work after maternity leave to continue to breastfeed, in line with best practices from a public health perspective. Normalising breastfeeding in the workplace is of benefit to mothers, babies and wider society.

“The new right to leave for medical care purposes will give parents and carers access to a flexible short-term form of unpaid leave, providing certainty at difficult moments, should they need it.”