Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 301: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it is possible for women to engage in unpaid maternity leave prior to the birth of their child or if the order in which maternity entitlements must be claimed is paid first followed by unpaid leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4471/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Advice on the law is not a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. However, I can say that policy in the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2004 is that an employee is entitled to additional unpaid maternity leave commencing immediately after the end of her maternity leave.

The entitlement will increase from eight weeks to 12 weeks with effect from 1 March 2006 and to 16 weeks with effect from 1 March 2007 following an order recently made by me under the Maternity Protection Acts in line with the announcement made by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement 2006.

Information on maternity leave entitlements can be obtained from the Equality Authority.