Maternity Leave Increased To Six Months

Michael Moynihan, Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science announced on Monday that, from March 1, mothers will be entitled to an extra four weeks of maternity benefit, giving them a six full months off work to care for their baby at home

"The first year of a baby's life is a very important time for both mother and child," he said.

"Improvements to paid and unpaid leave introduced by Fianna Fáil mean that mothers can now spend up to 10 months caring for their baby at home."

"Furthermore, maternity benefit has increased with mothers receiving up to €280 per week.

"Improving Maternity Benefit is a central element of Fianna Fáil's overall strategy on childcare. We are building on progress made last year which included the introduction of the €1,000 Early Childcare Supplement for all children under six years," he continued.

"Overall funding for paid maternity leave has more than trebled in recent years, increasing from €58 million in 2000 to €235 million this year.

"Over the same time, the length of paid maternity leave has increased by 3 months.

"The first year of a baby's life is crucial to their development.

"These improvements made by the government will enable 43,000 women over the next year to spend more time with their newly borns."