Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any plans in place to support mothers with newborns who wish to defer their maternity leave if they need to start cancer treatment following on from giving birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26759/23]
View answerThe 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, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which will be extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.The Acts include provisions for the postponement of maternity leave in the event of the hospitalisation of the child and for the termination of additional unpaid maternity leave in the event of illness of the mother.All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children. I have asked my officials to examine the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society regarding the deferral of maternity leave where a mother falls ill during this period and this work is ongoing.
