Section 18(4) of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides that councillors may be absent from meetings of a local authority for up to 6 months, either on health grounds or for another reason in good faith, and retain their seats subject to a resolution of the elected members of the Council. This period may be extended to 12 months, upon the passing of a resolution by the elected members of the Council, and to 18 months, again upon the passing of a resolution by the Council.
It is also the case that a councillor who is absent for a period of up to 6 months is entitled to continue to receive the full amount of his or her representational payment of €16,645 for so long as he or she continues to be a member of their local authority. Councillors who are absent for a period exceeding 6 months may continue to receive 50% of the representational payment for the next succeeding 6 months.
Notwithstanding this existing position, and acknowledging my Department's responsibility under the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 to work for greater female representation in politics, my Department will review existing supports available to councillors taking maternity leave.