The Cabinet today published its Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill which, if passed, will provide new maternity and paternity rights for expectant parents.
The Bill amends the Maternity Protection Act 1994 to give effect to the outstanding recommendations of the working group on the review and improvement of the maternity protection legislation, which was published in February, 2001.
The recommendations to increase the periods of maternity leave were implemented very shortly after the working group completed its deliberations.
There is a provision for expectant mothers to attend one set of ante-natal classes without loss of pay and a provision for a once-off right to fathers to paid time off to attend the two ante-natal classes immediately prior to the birth.
- Provisions for breastfeeding mothers who have given birth within the previous 4 months with an entitlement, without loss of pay, to either an adjustment of working hours or where breastfeeding facilities are provided by the employer, breastfeeding breaks.
- Provision for termination of additional maternity leave (subject to the agreement of the employer) in the event of illness.
- Provision for an employee to postpone the period of maternity leave/additional maternity leave (subject to the agreement of the employer) in the event of the hospitalisation of the child.
- Provision that an employee's absence from work on additional maternity leave will count for all employment rights associated with the employment (except remuneration and superannuation benefits) such as seniority and annual leave.
The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea said: "The Maternity Protection (Amendment) Bill will implement the remaining recommendations of the Working Group.
"The Bill will enhance our maternity protection legislation and is a key statutory component of the Work/Life Balance Programmes to which this Government is committed under Sustaining Progress," he added.