Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When I raised with the Taoiseach last week the need to extend maternity leave and benefit by 12 weeks for mothers and parents affected by the Covid-19 crisis, he said the matter was complicated and complex but that the Government would do the right thing. Yesterday, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs announced a three-week extension to parental leave to be brought in next year under budget 2021. I put it to the Taoiseach that that is too little and too late. Those new mothers and families that need the additional breathing space and support of 12 additional weeks of maternity leave and benefit need action now. They are not in a position to wait until next year for some of that relief. I appeal to the Taoiseach to support the Sinn Féin Private Members' motion that will be brought forward and more than that to act as a Government and live up to the Taoiseach's commitment to do the right thing. The right thing is to afford 12 extra weeks to these woman, their babies and their families.

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