Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
396. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to amend legislation to enable women going through a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy or postpartum to defer their maternity leave while they go through cancer treatment; the reasons for a delay in meeting the calls made by an organisation (details supplied) on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31821/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals, if any, he has to amend the Maternity Protection Act 2004 to enable women postpone maternity leave who are diagnosed with cancer or any other serious illness during pregnancy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31908/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra401. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the unfair operation of the Maternity Protection Act 2004 whereby anyone diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy forfeits their maternity leave while undergoing treatment; the action, if any, which he intends to take to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31983/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 398 and 401 together.
The 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.
