Recent statistics show that of the number of women currently in Irish employment, over 62% are aged between 15 and 45 – the ages roughly corresponding to childbearing age. There were 29,042 maternity benefit payments awarded to employed or self-employed women in 2002. In all, 60,521 children were born in 2002. It is imperative that our legislation recognises the valuable contribution made by working mothers and provides support for them in the workplace.