The Irish government has approved a new law that will let women postpone their maternity leave if they are undergoing treatment for serious illnesses like cancer. This means that women won’t have to use their maternity leave while they are receiving medical treatment. Instead, they can save their maternity leave for when they are healthier and can spend time with their baby.
Key Points of the New Law:
- Women can delay their maternity leave for up to 52 weeks if they are ill.
- This change is aimed at helping women who are diagnosed with serious illnesses during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth.
- The law is expected to be in place by September, and the government is working to fast-track it.
Why This Change is Important:
Every year, about 60 women in Ireland are diagnosed with cancer while they are pregnant or shortly after giving birth. Under the current law, these women have to use their maternity leave while they are undergoing treatment, which means they miss out on spending time with their newborns.
Personal Stories:
Emma McGuinness, a campaigner from the Irish Cancer Society, shared her experience. She was diagnosed with cancer when she was 21 weeks pregnant and started chemotherapy two weeks after her son was born. She had to use her maternity leave for her treatment and had very little time to spend with her baby. Emma is hopeful that the new law will be passed quickly so that other women don’t have to go through what she did.
Equality and Fairness:
Emma pointed out that men can already defer their paternity leave if they are unwell after the birth of their child. She believes that women should have the same right to defer their maternity leave. This change is about making things fair and equal for everyone.
Government’s View:
Roderic O’Gorman, the Green Party leader, emphasized that maternity leave is a crucial time for mothers and their babies. He said that no one should have to use this time for medical treatment. The new law will allow mothers to focus on their health and still have time to bond with their baby.
Next Steps:
The government is working to get this law in place as soon as possible. They hope to have it ready by September and are pushing to make it happen quickly.
