While the overriding purpose of the review was to enhance the protections available to employees who are pregnant or who have recently given birth, the working group took account of the costs to employers of its recommendations. The recommendation to increase the maternity leave periods, which was implemented in March 2001, would have incurred the most cost for employers and the Exchequer. Some of the other provisions of the Bill will have minor cost implications for employers. Employer costs will be incurred in the provision of paid time off to attend ante-natal classes, the provision of either breastfeeding breaks where breastfeeding facilities are provided or a reduction of working hours and the preservation of certain employment rights while on additional maternity leave. The benefits of the recommendations, not only to employers but to the economy in general, were also considered. As I mentioned earlier, incentives which can assist in keeping women in the labour force are beneficial to employers and the economy generally.