Senator Nicole Ryan has criticised Cork TD John Paul O’Shea’s call for changes to maternity benefit while his own party has been in government for more than a decade.
In recent days, the Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul O’Shea stated that all options must be looked at to make maternity leave pay better for women and families.
Deputy O’Shea who is the Chair of the Oireachtas Social Protection committee said consideration must be given by the Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary to introduce a pay-related maternity benefit so those who only get the flat rate are appropriately compensated.
Mr O’Shea said Ireland currently has a flat rate of €289 per week, leaving it up to employers to make up the difference. “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.
“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,” he added.
Workers and self-employed individuals in the Republic of Ireland are entitled to a social welfare maternity benefit payment of €289 per week for 26 weeks.
Some employers top up the entitlement.
Sinn Féin senator Nicole Ryan however said families need action, not empty promises. “Families in Cork are under enormous financial pressure with soaring housing costs, some of the highest childcare fees in the State and the rising cost of living. To then expect new mothers to survive on a flat rate maternity payment of €289 a week is simply not good enough.”
Senator Ryan continued: “It is all well and good for Deputy O’Shea to issue press releases, but Fine Gael has been in power for 13 years. If they were serious about supporting women and families, they would already have delivered a fair, pay-related maternity system. Mothers in Cork should not face a cliff-edge drop in income just for having children.”
Senator Ryan said the reality is that women have been at a disadvantage from the very moment they find out they are pregnant. “From the start of pregnancy, women are left worrying about whether their jobs will be secure, how time off will impact their career, or whether they can even afford to take their full entitlement. If they suffer an early loss, many are left without statutory protections, facing questions about employment gaps and forced to suffer in silence. This is discrimination against women for the simple fact that they are able to bring life into the world.”
The Cork senator said she has personally brought forward a comprehensive Bill on early pregnancy loss, designed to give women and families the recognition, leave and protections they deserve. “Instead of embracing it, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil voted to kick it down the road and delay it by a year. Do they really care about women’s issues, or is it all just soundbites and empty promises?’
“Where is this so-called ‘new energy’ they promised in the last general election? Because for women and families, nothing has changed,” she added.
“What families need is action, not more promises,” said Senator Ryan. “Sinn Féin will deliver proper, pay-related maternity benefit and ensure families in Cork and across Ireland get the support they deserve. It is long past time that women and families were treated with the dignity and fairness they are entitled to.”
Read more on Irish Independent
