Councillors set to get paid maternity leave from next year

Cabinet has approved a scheme that allows councillors to take paid maternity leave while also giving them the choice to appoint an individual as a temporary substitute in their absence.

Currently female councillors are deemed officeholders rather than employees and do not fall under the statutory framework which grants employees maternity leave.

Last week, the Government passed a bill granting female councillors access to maternity leave under the Maternity Protection Act 1994.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, welcomed the move and said that it made politics more accessible to women.

“Today’s cabinet decision allows us to address a deficit which should not exist in a 21st century workplace, to provide full maternity leave for our councillors,” he said.

“Our rate of female participation in both local and national government is shamefully low, and I believe this measure will remove another obstacle and allow us to make the role of a councillor more accessible to half of our population.”

Last year, an all-female working group was established by Minister Burke which consisted of seven councillors – one from each main political party and one Independent – to help draft the proposal.

“Councillors will soon have the choice to have an individual fill in for them while they are on leave.   This would apply for all votes, all meetings and all elements of the role,” Minister Burke said.

“Previously, I was aware of situations where councillors felt pressure to turn up to important votes or debates, when they needed to be at home caring for a new baby.

“It is not credible maternity leave if you cannot fully switch off from your work.”

If a councillor does not want to have a substitute, but would like more administrative support, they will be given funding to hire someone to assist with secretarial work.

“We see many Oireachtas members starting off their political careers in local government so these measures will also have a positive effect on gender equality in our Dáil and Seanad Chambers,” Burke said.

Fine Gael TD and former Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councillor Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the move is an “extremely welcome development.

“Currently, 40 councillors in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, 17 of whom are women, are not classified as employees, meaning they are not covered by the statutory framework on issues such as maternity leave,” she said.

“This scheme provides access to maternity leave under the Maternity Protection Act 1994.

“Dún Laoghaire councillors will be entitled to the same rights as female employees, and those with the relevant PRSI contributions.

“The proposal to allow for a temporary substitute will address situations where councillors feel pressure to turn up to important votes or debates or fulfil their community representative role, when they would really prefer or need to be at home caring for their new baby or recovering themselves.”

Last year Minister for Justice Helen McEntee became the second serving minister to announce her pregnancy in the history of the State, and the first while holding Cabinet rank.