Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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481. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of a lack of appropriate paid leave for male primary school teachers for antenatal medical appointments; whether she agrees that it is correct for expecting fathers to get the time to attend antenatal medical appointments; and if she will ensure this issue is corrected by her Department. [56504/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Maternity Leave Scheme for teachers, as contained in the Department’s Circular Letter 0054/2019 (Chapter 2), is regulated by the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 as amended.

Paragraph 7 of Chapter 2 sets out the provisions as regards time off for ante/post-natal care appointments and attendance at ante-natal classes and states:

7.1Pregnant teachers are entitled to time off work, without loss of pay, to:

a) attend medical appointments related to ante-natal care,

b) attend one full set of ante-natal classes in a working career, and the last 3 classes in a set for subsequent pregnancies, and

c) attend medical appointments related to post-natal care within 14 weeks of the birth.

7.2If a pregnant teacher misses particular ante-natal classes in a set then it is permitted that during a subsequent pregnancy, or pregnancies, she may attend classes equivalent to those missed.

7.3An expectant father is entitled to time off work, without loss of pay, to attend the last 2 ante-natal classes in a set attended by the pregnant mother immediately prior to the birth.

7.4Two weeks’ notice should be given for each absence referred to in this paragraph and appropriate documentary evidence provided.

There is no statutory leave entitlement for a male teacher to accompany his partner to ante-natal visits.

These terms and conditions have been agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council, a body established in accordance with the terms of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for Teachers. The Council is composed of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Education, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.