Maternity Protection Entitlements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018

Friday, 7 September 2018

Questions (336, 337)

Declan Breathnach

Question:

336. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the delay in implementing breastfeeding breaks for teachers as agreed upon by the teachers conciliation council at its meeting of 8 May 2018; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that it was agreed that breastfeeding breaks would be extended until 104 weeks after the birth of the child and that such breaks would be covered under the supervision and substitution scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under Circular 31/06 employees of the Civil Service have been entitled to breastfeeding breaks since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36561/18]

James Browne

Question:

337. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the allowance for breastfeeding breaks for children up to two years of age will be increased in view of recent teaching union motions; the position regarding this conditional leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36580/18]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together.

The current provisions for breastfeeding breaks are set out in paragraph 13, chapter 4 – Maternity Protection Entitlements, Terms and Conditions of Employment for Registered Teachers in Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools – edition 2 issued by my Department.  Paragraph 13.1 states:

“13.1 Within a twenty six week period after the birth of the child, a teacher who has returned to work is entitled to one hour per day for the purpose of breastfeeding. The time off, without loss of pay, may be taken as follows:

 (a) one break of 60 minutes, or

 (b) two breaks of 30 minutes each, or

 (c) three breaks of 20 minutes each”

My Department intends to issue a circular on breastfeeding breaks for teachers following recent agreement at the Teachers’ Conciliation Council, TCC. The TCC is part of the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for teachers and was set up to deal with claims and proposals relating to the terms and conditions of employment of teachers. The council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.