The Green Party today called for the Government to allocate funding in the upcoming Budget to extend the maternity leave and maternity benefit of mothers of babies born prematurely.
The call comes following the unanimous passing of a Dáil motion supporting the proposal back in April.
Speaking today, Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin TD said: ““Every year in Ireland approximately 4,500 babies are born prematurely (less than 37 weeks gestation). One in 16 women deliver a preterm baby. At the time of the baby’s arrival, parents’ concerns, worries and anxieties are quite naturally focused on the baby’s safe well-being and progress. Maternity leave and maternity benefit may be one of last things on a mother’s mind but it won’t take long until the mother faces the reality of being treated by the State in a markedly different and unfair way compared to mothers fortunate enough to give birth to full term babies.
“Under the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004, a mother is entitled to 26 weeks maternity leave and 16 weeks unpaid leave. Maternity leave comes into effect on the date of the birth of the child. However, babies surviving from the earliest gestations, such as 23 weeks, can spend months in a neonatal unit in hospital under the constant, watchful and nervous eye of their parents. By the time a premature baby gets to go home, a mother’s maternity leave can almost be used up.
“I’ve spoken and written to Minister Charlie Flanagan on this issue, and I’ve been informed that our proposals are under serious consideration for the upcoming Budget. We’re now calling for the Government to honour the Dáil motion passed back in April, and extend the maternity leave and benefit of the mothers of premature babies. The extension we proposed will only cost in the region of €5 million euro per year, and will go a long way in helping some of the most vulnerable in our society when they need it most.
“The Government should prioritise targeted supports like this over tax cuts in the Budget.”
