Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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285. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within his Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under his remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50340/22]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Details relating to dedicated spaces for breastfeeding or expressing breast milk in work locations within my Department are as follows:

In line with Government policy, breastfeeding employees of my Department are entitled to paid breaks of one hour per day from work, or a reduction of one hour per day working time, to facilitate breastfeeding or lactation (Circular 31/06 Implementation of the Regulations of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004). At present, breastfeeding or lactation breaks may continue until the child is two years of age. This hour can be broken into two 30 minute breaks or three 20 minute breaks if desired. Paid breaks from work or a reduction in working hours are calculated on a pro rata basis for staff members who are working a reduced work pattern.

The position regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.

The Central Bank provides facilities for nursing mothers in both city centre office locations at its Docklands campus. The Investor Compensation Company, also a body under the aegis of my Department, shares the premises with the Central Bank. There is also a Medical Room which can be used for breastfeeding mothers at the Bank’s Cash Centre in Sandyford. Furthermore, the Central Bank, in line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007, requires line managers of pregnant or breastfeeding women to carry out a health and safety risk assessment.

The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman operates a dedicated space, which is available to all staff who are breastfeeding and expressing breast milk, at its leased premises at Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.

The Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal has no employees. As such, there are no dedicated spaces in the Tribunal offices for breastfeeding and expressing breastmilk.

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council offices are located in the ESRI building, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2. The ESRI, which provides office accommodation and building services on a pro rata basis and support services to the Fiscal Council, has an onsite room available to breastfeeding staff.

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) provides employees with a space for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in Treasury Dock. The NTMA assigns staff to three further bodies under the remit of my Department, namely Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI), the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). The NTMA, HBFI, NAMA and SBCI operate out of the Treasury Dock building.

The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General operates from two floors of a building at 3A Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1 that is owned by the Central Bank and leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW). While there are no spaces dedicated solely for the purpose of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk on either of the floors occupied by the Office or in any other parts of the building, there is a welfare/medical room on the ground floor that is available for use by all tenants of the building, when required, for the purpose of breastfeeding or expressing breast milk.

While none of the buildings occupied by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners has a dedicated space for breastfeeding and expressing milk, the majority of its office accommodation has a “rest room” which is made available for all staff for a variety of needs. If a rest room is unavailable, suitable alternative facilitates are made available for breastfeeding mothers. It should be noted that where they are not available, staff are accommodated with flexible working arrangements.

The Tax Appeals Commission has a dedicated restroom available to staff members which can cater for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk, if required. The Commission is located at Fitzwilliam Court, Leeson Close, Dublin 2.