Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 1

Written Answers. - Maternity Leave.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

222 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the situation in relation to paid maternity leave for teachers arising out of a recent test case, whereby the maternity leave occurs during a holiday period; whether her Department intend to pay holiday leave to teachers in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The present position is that under the scheme of maternity leave for teachers, permanent teachers are entitled to 14 consecutive weeks' paid maternity leave.

The scheme also provides that a teachers may take up to four consecutive weeks' additional unpaid maternity leave immediately after her paid maternity leave. As an alternative to this the scheme allows a teacher the option of taking extended unpaid maternity leave up to the end of the school year in which the birth occurs.

My Department have obtained legal advice in the matter referred to by the Deputy and it is under consideration at present.