The Government recently announced that with effect from 1 October this year, mothers can extend both maternity leave and benefits to encompass the pre-term period of the birth of the child. The additional leave and benefits are to be added to the end of the statutory 26-week maternity leave period.

Under the Maternity Protection Acts, employees are required to go on maternity leave at least two weeks prior to the expected due date i.e. 37^th week of pregnancy. As such, if a mother gives birth in the 33^rd week of her pregnancy, an extra four weeks of leave and benefit can then be obtained after the duration of the normal 26-week leave and benefit period. Although, this new provision is not yet statutory, it will apply to mothers of pre-term babies born on or after 1 October.

For further advice, view the SFA's guideline on maternity leave or contact Ciara McGuone, SFA Executive on 01 605 1668 or ciara.mcguone@sfa.ie.