Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The way in which the section is constructed obscures what is effectively a compromise between the social partners who deliberated on the matter. The working group recommended that provision be made in legislation or in regulations for paid time off for mothers to attend one complete set of antenatal classes. At least, three of the classes are to be taken during the pre-confinement maternity leave period. The current position is that employees are not entitled to any paid time off to attend antenatal classes.

Employers' representatives on the working group agreed to a number of commitments, which have a direct cost implication for them, including this one. The compromise reached was that employers would pay employees for time off to attend antenatal classes apart from the last three, some of which may be taken during the pre-confinement maternity leave period. Time off to attend the remaining classes will be at the employee's own expense unless the employer agrees otherwise, which is often the case in any event.

I agree with the Senator that the last three classes might not necessarily fall into the pre-confinement period, which has now been reduced to a fortnight. There was wheeling and dealing and it was generally agreed at the meetings of the working group that a woman would need six to eight antenatal classes. They suggested that it be taken as being six, for half of which they would pay. This was agreed and is now reflected in this section.