Buckley supports SF call to extend Maternity Leave

Sinn Féin Pat Buckley TD for Cork East has called on the Government to introduce a temporary extension to Maternity Benefit (Maternity Leave and Pay) of 3 months, increasing it for 6 to 9 months in total. He made his comments in advance of a Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil this week which has the support of the National Women’s Council of Ireland and the Extend Maternity Leave 2020 campaign group.

Pat Buckley said;

“Mothers face unique challenges during their maternity leave – they struggled without the usual supports, including family support, cancelled appointments, reduced visits from the Public Health Nurse etc. all because of Covid-19

Yesterday the government announced that as part of Budget 2021 an additional 3 weeks for Parent’s Leave will be examined, but this will not address the issue properly.

Many mothers are now approaching the end date of their maternity leave and they have nobody to mind their baby.

We know from our engagements that some mothers have had to leave their jobs, others have been forced to take unpaid leave and use their annual leave from work

Our Motion covers all mothers whose maternity expires between March and the end of November with a review in November to consider any further extensions

In our election manifesto we committed to an additional 26 weeks of leave (to be taken by either parent) meaning that all newborns are cared for by a parent for their first year of life as is best practice according to research.

Extending maternity leave is the right thing to do for mothers, for their children and for their families.”