Maternity Leave

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024

Thursday, 16 May 2024

Ceisteanna (239)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

239. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to support a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) in order to allow new mothers who fall ill while pregnant to take sick leave and defer their maternity leave; if so, to provide an update on work conducted to date on this legislation; the timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22223/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Deputy Roderic O'Gorman)

The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave. All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children.

In October I announced plans to introduce legislation to allow women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses postpone their maternity leave.

It is planned to bring this forward together with a number of amendments arising out of my Department’s review of Ireland’s equality legislation. My officials are finalising these proposals and I intend to bring them to Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks.