Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion to extend maternity leave and benefit temporarily due to the Covid-19 emergency. The announcement yesterday regarding parents' leave is a step in the right direction, but it is not a solution. It does not solve the crisis that parents face now. It also excludes anybody whose baby was born earlier than last November. These babies still need to be cared for. It is imperative to support this motion.

Childcare is difficult to find at the best of times, but the situation has been made worse by the closure of childcare facilities due to Covid-19. Many families have been left without childcare, particularly those with babies younger than one year. Some mothers do not have any childcare for their new babies. The babies are afraid of other people because, as a result of the country's shutdown, they have not spent time with anybody other than their mothers and fathers. Additionally, parents are worried about the safety of returning to work and leaving their babies with strangers when the world is in the midst of a pandemic.

New mothers have spent the past four months isolated at home with a small baby and it has been desperately hard for them. For many mothers with small babies, Covid-19 has made maternity leave extremely challenging. Now these mothers are expected to return to work even though childcare for children under a year old is simply not available. If they decide not to return to workforce, many will go into mortgage arrears, so they have no choice. I support the motion.

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