Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021
357. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to review rules regarding pay during maternity leave such as employer requirements to pay persons a percentage of their salary during their maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25384/21]
View answerThe Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004 provide for up to 26 weeks maternity leave with a maternity benefit available to those who qualify, and a further 16 weeks unpaid leave. Where a child is born prematurely, additional weeks may be available.
I believe the Deputy is referring to a requirement on employers to pay salary during maternity leave. As noted above, maternity benefit is available to those who qualify. Some employers pay salary top-ups during maternity leave. However, there are no plans to introduce legislation to require employers to do so.
The Government is committed to supporting working families and there have been significant advances in the provision of family leaves in recent years. Most recently, the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021, increased the entitlement to paid parent’s leave by three weeks, to a total of five weeks for each parent and the time in which it can be taken was extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
