Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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1256. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to implement a review of maternity leave provisions for parents of infants in neonatal intensive care units that may not be pre-term but that are in the unit for health reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46691/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My colleague, Charlie Flanagan T.D., the Minister for Justice and Equality has responsibility for maternity leave which is provided for in the 1994 and 2004 Maternity Acts while I have responsibility for maternity benefit payments provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended).

Maternity leave legislation provides a 26 week period of statutory maternity leave. Subject to the provisions of social welfare legislation, the 26-week period of core statutory maternity leave attracts a social insurance payment of maternity benefit.

On 3 October 2017 I, together with Minister Flanagan announced increased maternity leave and maternity benefit for mothers whose babies are born prematurely on or after 1 October. The additional period will commence at the end of the standard 26 week period of paid maternity leave. The extended period to be added will be the number of weeks from the baby's actual date of birth up to two weeks before the expected date of confinement which would have been the 37th week of the pregnancy, at which point the current entitlement to 26 weeks leave and benefit would normally begin.

A mother can also take a further 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave which must be taken immediately after the end of her paid maternity leave. This period is not covered by maternity benefit but a mother is entitled to a credited social insurance contribution for each week of unpaid leave that is taken (up to the maximum of 16).

Legislation currently allows for the postponement of maternity leave and maternity benefit for up to six months with the employer’s agreement in cases where the child is hospitalised. In these cases entitlement to maternity leave and benefit continues after the period of postponement for a maximum of twelve weeks.

Eligible parents can also avail of two weeks paid paternity leave at any time within the first 26 weeks following the birth or date of placement of the child. Paternity benefit is available for employed and self-employed people who are on from work and covered by contributions. Paternity leave and paternity benefit can also be postponed for up to six months in cases where the child is hospitalised.

Parents also have an entitlement to parental leave which is unpaid.Since 8 March 2013 the amount of parental leave available for each child amounts to a total of 18 working weeks per child. Both parents have an equal separate entitlement to parental leave.

I have no plans for further changes to the maternity benefit provisions at present.