TD urges government to grant three-month extension to all women on maternity leave affected by Covid-19
Bríd Smith TD has said that the failure of the previous caretaker government to grant a maternity leave extension is “an insult to all women.”
Meeting a delegation of women from the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) the TD urged the new government to move quickly and grant a three-month extension to all women on maternity leave whose leave arrangements have been hit by the Covid crisis.
The TD said she would be raising the issue with the Taoiseach today as women can no longer wait for the extension.
She said: “The last government stated they would make a decision on this soon- that was a month ago and they did nothing. Women have faced months with no creche facilities, no family supports and with demands that they return to work from employers despite facing huge difficulties and stress. A blanket three-month extension to leave and benefit entitlements is absolutely the minimum all women on leave need during this crisis.”
The TD said a cross party motion on the issue had the support of over 70 TDs including members of the new government.
The TD concluded by saying: “There can be no more excuses, we need the extension as an emergency motion for all mothers affected by the Covid crisis.”
