Pay-related Maternity Benefit must be introduced to help support mothers – O’Shea

All options must be looked at to make maternity leave pay better for women and families, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy John Paul O’Shea, Chair of the Oireachtas Social Protection committee said consideration must be given by the Minister for Social Protection 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.

“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 roll-out 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.

“As Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, I will be asking officials and representatives from a number of organisations to address the committee on how we can introduce a pay-related scheme.

“It’s important that we support mothers in the workforce and when they need to take time off to start or grow their families.

“The Programme for Government commits to introducing pay-related Parents’ Benefit. Now that Pay Related Job Seekers 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 Pay Related Job Seekers Benefit and get pay-related Maternity Benefit in place to support working families. Parents and families can be reassured that Fine Gael is doing everything we can to make life easier for families”, concluded Deputy O’Shea.