Long overdue Maternity Leave Bill for seriously ill mothers must be enacted this week- O’Gorman must ensure it takes effect immediately

• Cast iron guarantee by Green Party was not enacted at the end of 2023
• Delays in commencing other legislation by Minister O’ Gorman must be not be repeated
• Maternity leave bill must be commenced for women before the week is out

Labour workers rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock said it is crucial that women going through a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy or postpartum must be able to defer their maternity leave.

As the Maternity Bill is due for debate in the Seanad this Wednesday (October 9th), Senator Sherlock urged Government to stop delaying on their promises to seriously ill mothers who have just given birth and ensure the legislation is commenced by the end of the week.

Senator Sherlock said:

“There was a cast iron commitment that this legislation would be in place by the end of 2023. Minister O’Gorman promised the enactment of this legislation by the end of 2023, yet here we are 10 months on and there has been no action.

“This means that we’ve had 10 months of women not being able to access what should be there. I’m calling on Minister O’Gorman to finally make good on his word, and ensure that the commencement order for this legislation is signed this week so that we finally right this wrong.

“We saw major delays in enacting key parts of the flexible work provisions in the Work Life Balance bill. The Minister must ensure the Government doesn’t drag it heels on this current bill.

“While tongues continue to wag regarding an election date, there are key pieces of legislative change that must be enacted before this Government goes to the polls.

“I am urging this Government to deliver on a key ask of the ‘Leave Our Leave’ campaign spearheaded by the Irish Cancer Society and mothers to newborn babies with serious illness.

“Under Irish law, women currently do not have the option to defer maternity leave while receiving cancer treatment. This gap in our law must be addressed.

“Maternity leave is in place to allow mothers to care for their new born babies, however for a small number of women each year, they sadly do not get to devote those 26 weeks to solely looking after their newborn but have to spend their time getting life saving treatment for themselves.

“We understand that around 60 women each year are diagnosed with cancer in pregnancy and they are denied any extension to their maternity leave.

“I have highlighted this with Minister O’Gorman countless times. The Minister continues to say the protections are on the way, but for women battling illness during maternity leave, the time for action is now.

“The Maternity Bill which will be debated in the Seanad on Wednesday would address this by enabling women to defer their maternity leave by 52 weeks if they are suffering from serious illness and need to take time for treatment. Let’s make this the law, so that mothers have time to focus on their treatment, as well as time with their baby.”