Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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213. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a private room will be provided in relation to breastfeeding breaks for registered teachers in recognised primary and post-primary schools (details supplied); and his plans to include special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In relation to school employees my Department is not the employer.  The employer is the Education and Training Board (ETB) for vocational schools/community colleges, community national schools and the Board of Management/Manager in the case of primary (excluding community national schools) voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive schools.

The provision of facilities in the workplace to facilitate breastfeeding is a matter for the employer.

Under Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, employers are not obliged to provide facilities in the workplace to facilitate breastfeeding if the provision of such facilities would give rise to considerable costs.