The Maternity Protection Act, 1994, transposes the employment rights aspects of the EU Pregnant Workers Directive (92/85/EEC) into Irish law.
Article 1 of the directive states that its purpose is to implement measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers, workers who have recently given birth or who are breastfeeding. In this context, it requires that pregnant employees are entitled to at least 14 consecutive weeks' maternity leave in respect of each confinement. This period must include a minimum term before and after confinement. Sections 8 and 10 of the Act fulfil these requirements.
My Department is currently reviewing the provisions and operation of the Maternity Protection Act, 1994. One of the issues raised in the context of this review in an increase in the minimum period of maternity leave. The question of longer periods of leave in respect of multiple births can be examined in the context of this review.
The Deputy may also be interested to note that the Parental Leave Act, 1998, provides an entitlement to parents to 14 weeks' leave to enable them take care of their young children. This leave may be taken as a continuous block of 14 weeks or, by agreement with an employer, in smaller blocks over a period of time. This entitlement accrues in respect of each child born or adopted after 3 June 1996. In circumstances where an employee is entitled to parental leave in respect of more than one child, the employee cannot take more than 14 weeks' parental leave in any 12 months. This restriction does not apply, however, in the case of multiple births. In such cases parents can, if they so wish, avail of substantial periods of time off from work in the early months of their children's lives.