Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom mo chuid tacaíochta a léiriú don Bhille seo atá ag lorg síneadh ama agus síneadh leis an liúntas máithreachais, go háirithe nuair a saolaítear leanbh go luath. Smaoineamh an-mhaith atá ann agus molaim an Teachta as é a thabhairt romhainn anseo inniu. Smaoineamh maith é go háirithe toisc go mbíonn tréimhse fada agus deacair caite ag an máthair agus ag an leanbh san ospidéal agus bíonn an-chuid de thréimhse an liúntais caite sara thagann siad abhaile. Ní bhíonn an deis céanna ag an máthair agus ag an leanbh a bheith lena chéile. Léirigh tuismitheoir amháin dom an buairt agus an deacracht a bhí ann dóibh agus iad san ospidéal nuair a saolaíodh páiste dóibh ag 27 seachtain. Nuair a thángadar thar nais abhaile, ní raibh ach 13 seachtain den liúntas fágtha acu. Gan dabht, tá sé sin an-ghairid. Ní bhíonn rogha ag puinn teaghlach unpaid leave a thógaint.

A premature child is more likely to have complications after coming home and the family will be going back and forwards for appointments. That, with the time, resources and difficulty involved, would be when they are on reduced leave. It makes real sense to extend the maternity leave and give the same opportunity to both full-term and premature babies and their parents. The Minister of State outlined how he intended to use the family leave Bill as the vehicle to bring this into effect and that he had a number of other issues that he wanted to bring on board. I also bring to the Minister of State's attention the situation with maternity leave for carers, who may have kept a foot in with employment, income and careers. Their carer's allowance is halved when they go on maternity leave. It is a very difficult time for carers, especially if they are continuing in their carer role while on maternity leave. It is another aspect that I recommend the Minister of State takes on board, although the focus today is on the premature baby and extending leave. Molaim an rún.

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