Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé buíoch go bhfuil deis agam labhairt ar an rún seo anocht. I commend the Green Party and the Social Democrats for bringing forward this important and timely motion. There is an urgent need to extend the maternity benefit and maternity leave for mothers of premature babies in Ireland. As we know, 4,500 babies are born before 37 weeks across this State every year. This is a large group of parents who have a right to fairness when considering their rights to maternity benefit and leave. We believe that maternity leave and benefit should be extended, recognising that these mothers will need extra time to spend with their children at home to care for and bond with them. The needs of mothers and their premature babies must be the primary consideration in tonight's debate, and Sinn Féin is happy to support this motion. We also believe there needs to be investment in maternity services across this State, as it is estimated that we need 600 midwives to achieve basic safety levels. We also have the lowest level of obstetricians per 100,000 across all OECD countries. While this is not part of the debate this evening, nevertheless it is an important connected matter and I urge the Government to take action on those particular issues.

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