Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this important legislation. It has taken some time to come before the House due to pressure of business.

Balancing work and life commitments is important, not only in the context of assisting employees in combining employment and personal responsibilities, but also in underpinning social and equality objectives. It is imperative, therefore, that we meet the challenge of developing innovative measures which reflect the reality of today's workplace and the personal and social responsibilities which employees encounter.

The increased number of women in the labour force has been one of the main contributory factors in our economic growth which has allowed the economy to expand without being stifled by major skills shortages. In 1994, the female labour force participation rate was only 39%. According to the latest CSO figures, it is now almost 49%.

The EU Presidency conclusions on equal opportunities and social inclusion as outlined in Lisbon and Nice in 2000 set a target of 60% employment for women by 2010 with an interim target of 57% by 2005. We still have some way to go to meet those figures. It is unlikely that we will reach 57% by 2005, but I hope we will reach the 60% target by 2010. Complying with these targets will mean a further increase in the number of women of child-bearing age in the labour force.

Our economic climate is, in itself, a driving force in addressing obstacles to women's participation in the labour force, particularly in skilled employment. Employers do not want to lose trained and skilled women and are looking at ways of retaining them in employment. The need to ensure continued economic growth is putting the employment and retention of women in the workforce at centre stage. This is not only an equality issue but also an economic one. Recent statistics show that, of the number of women in employment in Ireland, more than 62% are aged between 15 and 45. These ages approximately correspond to childbearing age. Almost 30,000 maternity benefit payments were awarded to employed or self-employed women in 2002. In all, 60,000 children were born in the same year.

It is imperative that our legislation recognises the valuable contribution made by working mothers and provides support for them in the workplace. I am delighted to see the regulations whereby women are entitled to 14 weeks' maternity leave but must take four weeks of this before having the baby will be changed under this Bill. Many babies do not arrive on time and can be born up to two weeks' late. This can mean that women find themselves going back to work much sooner than intended. The majority of women applying for maternity benefit put false dates on their application forms so that they may spend more time with the baby after it has been born. Everyone that has worked in this area recognises this has been a major problem.

Last year, almost 30,000 women made applications for maternity leave. The majority of these women wanted to have the maximum time available to them after the birth and want the right to decide when they will take their leave. The four weeks' provision was a frustrating regulation and not a defined right. The amending of this will allow new mothers to take up to 16 weeks' paid maternity leave after the birth of their child. It offers greater flexibility in managing leave entitlements in the way that best suits their personal circumstances.

The Bill also strengthens maternity protection rights for breastfeeding employees. Now, mothers will be allowed breastfeeding breaks, or adjusted working hours, for up to six months after the birth of their baby. This puts the welfare of the family ahead of the employer. Breastfeeding provides the best opportunity for a healthy start in life for infants and young children. The incidence of breastfeeding in Ireland continues to be lower than that of our European counterparts. In 1994, only 36% of mothers breastfed their children, although this figure has increased since then. The majority of infants are not breastfed and are therefore deprived on the major nutritional, immunological and psychological benefits breastfeeding confers.

The evidence for the superiority of breastfeeding for mothers and children is compelling and continues to grow. Research indicates that many of the health enhancing and disease preventative benefits of breastfeeding in infancy are sustained throughout childhood and into adulthood. A baby's first year of life is a time of unprecedented growth and development. Breast milk is specifically designed to optimise the baby's potential during this time and for years after the breastfeeding has ceased. There are health benefits for breastfeeding mothers too, as they have some protection against pre-menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis in later life. Just as importantly, breastfeeding provides unique and precious early bonding experiences for infants and their mothers. This contributes greatly to the baby's psychological, emotional and social development.

We must offer all women and their families the opportunity to make informed choices about breastfeeding. We must provide support and develop greater awareness of these benefits. We must also look at how barriers to breastfeeding may be overcome. It is essential that the Government does everything to influence and change society's attitude towards breastfeeding. We should aim for a society that offers support and recognises the enormous benefits of breastfeeding. In creating better awareness and support for breastfeeding, the establishment of a national committee on breastfeeding and the appointment of a national breastfeeding co-ordinator were of great importance.

This Bill increases the support. Many working mothers who would like to breastfeed their children for four months or more have not had the opportunity to do so in the past as they have had to return to work when the baby is around three months old. As a result of this, many mothers give up breastfeeding after the first three months and in some cases decide not to breastfeed at all. According to a recent study, babies who are breastfed develop higher IQs than those who are not and, the longer they are breastfed, the more intelligent they are likely to be. Researchers analysed data from more than 9,000 babies born between 1959 and 1961. The researchers looked at how they were fed as children and recorded their adult IQ. The study found that babies breastfed for two months or longer had a slightly higher IQ than the general population — the average is approximately 100. Babies breastfed for seven to nine months scored the highest IQs with an average of 106. The American and Danish researchers involved in the study believe the link may be due to the nutrients found in breast milk.

It is important that we do not make women who decide not to breastfeed feel inferior. While it is a personal decision, we should do everything possible to encourage them to breastfeed. This Bill will assist every mother in doing this if she so chooses.

The institute of obstetrics believes pregnant women need to attend at least one complete set of ante-natal classes in the interests of her health and safety during pregnancy. Ante-natal classes form an intrinsic part of the ante-natal care package, especially in the woman's first pregnancy. These classes are essential to provide information on all aspects of giving birth so that they can assist each expectant mother on how to make informed choices. Through a wide variety of skills and knowledge, the classes aim to educate the expectant mother and her partner and promote confidence in her ability to give birth. Ante-natal classes provide the expectant mother with information about pregnancy, labour, delivery and baby care. They allow both the mother and her partner to discuss any concerns they might have with other expectant mothers. Many women and their partners find this to be of great benefit.

While many ante-natal classes focus on labour and delivery alone, more are beginning to include practical advice on how to care for the baby and adjust to parenthood. Childbirth and parenting, especially for first-time parents, can be a daunting and scary time. Ante-natal classes can be exceptionally helpful in preparing future parents for what is ahead of them. This Bill ensures that every expectant mother will be legally entitled to attend those essential classes without loss of payment. It also ensures every father will be able to attend two classes prior to the birth. This will be of assistance to both mother and father during the delivery.

The Bill is an extremely important measure for the health of the mother and child. It is an important move for many mothers and gives them the entitlements they need and deserve at one of the most important times of their lives. I congratulate the Minister on introducing this Bill and I commend it to the House.

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