The amount of time that parents can take off work to look after their children will be increased in the new year, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has announced.

Following a directive from the European Union (EU) in 2010, the new Family Leave Bill will raise the minimum amount of unpaid leave that parents of children under eight years old are entitled to from 14 to 18 weeks. The EU Directive must be transposed into law by March 8th 2013, the Irish Independent reports.

Under the EU directive, parents are also allowed to request a change to their working patterns when they return after a period of parental leave. However, the decision to accommodate such requests is at the discretion of the employer.

Mr Shatter said: "This change has a positive impact on parents, for women in particular, facilitating their participation in the labour force and in protecting their right to resume employment after parental leave."

Upon their return to work, a parent must be offered the same role they previously held or an equivalent if this is no longer possible.

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