James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Frank O'Rourke.

I thank Deputy Catherine Martin and the Green Party for bringing forward this motion, as well as the families who are here today. Sometimes a matter comes before the House that is so obvious and so simple that one has to ask why it was not done before. Premature births are the biggest killer of babies in Ireland. Many who survive suffer serious illness. Parents should not have to worry about financial considerations at this time. My sister was born prematurely. Thankfully, Judy survived, but with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. I remember the stresses and strains on my parents at that time, having to travel up and down to Crumlin hospital and seeing their child in an incubator for such a long time. As a mental health spokesperson, I am acutely aware of mental health risks to parents during such times of stress, and the increased risk of mental illness to premature babies as well. Along with my party colleagues, I am glad to support this compassionate and practical motion to extend the maternity leave and benefit of mothers whose babies are born prematurely.

Currently, under the Maternity Protection Act 1994 and Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, a mother is entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave and 16 weeks of unpaid leave. I acknowledge that Fianna Fáil previously proposed the extension of paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks, with the best interests of both parents and babies in mind. Aside from the obvious nurturing benefits this change would have, there are also the practical benefits of minimising the need and cost for child care for parents at this stressful time. This motion recommends that maternity leave and benefit is extended by the length of time between the delivery date of the baby and either the date the baby would have been delivered full-term, or the date of the baby leaving hospital, whichever is later. Depending on complications, some preterm babies need to stay in neonatal units for weeks or even months. This inevitably means that when a preterm baby is discharged from a neonatal unit, the mother may have very little, if any, maternity leave left to spend with her baby at home. This, coupled with the fact that premature babies are at increased risk of infection and other illnesses compared to full-term babies, makes for an excruciatingly worrying time for parents.

This motion is entirely supported by the Irish Premature Babies association, which is asking us to be the voice of the tiniest babies in Ireland by supporting this motion. We are doing just that. I hope the support and goodwill of this House for this motion will be reflected in the Government legislation to bring about the necessary changes to implement the sentiment of this motion, address the unfairness of the current arrangement and end the arbitrary nature by which maternity leave is given.

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