Cork TD says government should link maternity leave payments to salary

A Cork TD has said that the Government must explore all options to improve maternity leave pay for women.

Fine Gael Cork North West TD, and chairman of the Oireachtas social protection committee, John Paul O’Shea, said consideration must be given by social protection minister Dara Calleary to introduce a pay-related maternity benefit, so those who only get the flat rate are “appropriately compensated”.

“Currently, Ireland has a flat rate of €289 per week, leaving it up to employers to make up the difference,” said Mr O’Shea.

“In Bulgaria, mothers get 90% of their wages along with 58.6 weeks' leave, and in Sweden, mothers get 80% for 34 weeks' leave.

“While the length of maternity leave in Ireland compares well with our European neighbours, clearly a change is needed to ensure Irish mothers are not at a financial disadvantage due to our flat rate system.

“We need to use our experience from implementing jobseeker’s pay-related benefit to help us in the development and rollout of pay-related maternity benefit.

“By linking maternity benefit to earnings, families will be protected from financial constraints when an expectant mother is taking maternity leave.

“Women shouldn’t have to worry about starting or growing their family for fear of a cliff-edge drop in income.”

Mr O’Shea said he will be asking officials and representatives from a number of organisations to address the Oireachtas committee he chairs on how to introduce such a pay-related scheme.

“The programme for government commits to introducing pay-related parents benefit,” he said.

 “Now that pay-related jobseekers benefit has been rolled out, we need to see plans put in place for pay-related maternity benefit, and parents benefit as soon as possible.

“We must build on the work already done on these to support working families.”