Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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464. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within her Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under her remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50337/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In line with Circular 31/06 - Implementation of the Regulations of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, available at www.circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/2006/31.pdf, staff returning to my Department from maternity leave who are breastfeeding are entitled to paid breaks from work (one hour per day taken as a one hour break, two 30 minute breaks or three 20 minutes breaks, as required) or reduced daily working time (one hour per day) without loss of pay to facilitate breastfeeding or expressing breast milk until the child is two years of age. These entitlements are made available to work-sharing staff on a pro-rata basis.

At present, there are no dedicated facilities for breastfeeding or expressing milk in my Department’s locations, as no request for such a facility has been made by a member of staff. My Department has, in the past, organised for dedicated suitable accommodation to be made available for the purpose of breastfeeding on request. In the event that a staff member requires such facilities, my Department will facilitate such requests, where possible.

The requested information in respect of the Department’s aegis bodies is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 13 September 2022