Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The question of extending the duration of Maternity Leave would, in the first instance, be a matter for consideration by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who has policy and legal responsibility for maternity leave. My Department has responsibility for the payment of any associated benefit.

Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution and other conditions. In Budget 2024 I provided for a €12 per week increase in the rate of Maternity Benefit bringing the rate to €274 per week from January 2024. Sixteen weeks additional unpaid maternity leave is also available to new mothers.

Seven weeks of Parent's Leave and Benefit is also available to parents of children under age 2 or who have been adopted within the past two years. In Budget 2024, the Government provided for the extension of these schemes to nine weeks from August 2024. Parent's Benefit is paid at the same rate as Maternity Benefit.

Last July, the entitlement to breastfeeding breaks under the Maternity Protection Acts was extended from six months to two years through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Under the Act, staff are entitled to time off without loss of pay for breastfeeding breaks at work for up to one hour per normal working day.

The extension of breastfeeding breaks means that women going back to work after maternity leave are supported to continue breastfeeding even after they return to work. The extension of breastfeeding breaks was also an important commitment under the First 5 Strategy which has now been met.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.