The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (the Act) was signed into law by Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland on 4 April 2023 and certain elements of the new legislation came into force recently.
The Act introduces a number of changes including:
- 5 days unpaid leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and carers
- 5 days paid leave for victims of domestic violence
- the right to request flexible working for parents and carers
- the right to request remote working for all employees
Key to the Act, for mums or mums-to-be, are the two important amendments to the Maternity Protection Act 1994:
- As of 3 July 2023, the Act increased the entitlement for breastfeeding mums to paid breastfeeding breaks in the workplace - extended from the previous period of six months (26 weeks) to two years (104 weeks) after the child’s birth. This increased entitlement was initially introduced via the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 as part of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020.
- The second is to ensure that transgender men who have given birth can access maternity leave.
How will the extended breastfeeding entitlement work?
An employee working and breastfeeding is entitled to take paid time off work each day to breastfeed. Individuals wanting to avail of breastfeeding breaks must notify their employer at least 4 weeks before they return from maternity leave of their intention to breastfeed (or express breast milk).
Breastfeeding breaks can be taken as either a one-hour break, two 30-minute breaks or three 20-minute breaks. Part-time workers are entitled to breastfeeding breaks, calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Minister Roderic O’Gorman noted that the Act "represents a significant advance in workers’ rights in Ireland. It recognises the importance of family life and an improved quality of life for all workers, by supporting employees to achieve a better balance between their home lives and work lives. The passing of this Bill introduces a statutory entitlement to carer’s leave, the right to request flexible and remote working, and makes breastfeeding breaks a reality for women returning to work from maternity leave."
This week, breastfeeding mother and business woman, Petrina O’Halloran has been speaking about this new law and the implications of it on Newstalk and Clare FM. She commented
"This is a very positive step for breastfeeding in Ireland, where are breastfeeding rates are amongst the lowest in Europe".
She further noted that
“The one positive from this new law is the potential to break down the stigma surrounding breastfeeding in Ireland. If a pregnant woman sees another woman at work taking her breastfeeding break, it allows a natural conversation to open up about breastfeeding that might never have happened before.”
When asked if more could be done to increase breastfeeding rates in Ireland, Petrina noted:
“Of course, there is, funding was announced for 24 lactation consultants in Ireland 2 years ago by Minister Donnelly, and up to last year, only 2 of those posts were filled. When we have 19 maternity hospitals in this country and only just over one lactation consultant in each, it is clear more needs to be done, as our birth rate continues to grow”.
You can listen back to Petrina's radio interviews on www.newstalk.com or www.clare.fm.
Petrina O’Halloran is a breastfeeding mother of 2 and runs Mama’s Boobie Box.
Mama’s Boobie Box is unique in the market as it offers the practical essentials a new mum needs for breastfeeding all beautifully packed in a Mama’s Boobie Box gift box. Founder, Petrina O’Halloran, a native of Galway, now living in Ennis with her family founded the business back in November 2020, and went live with the website in March 2021. Petrina who held a role in finance in London, moved back to Ireland during the pandemic in 2020, which gave her time to focus on the development of her business Mama’s Boobie Box.
The concept of Mama’s Boobie Box first came to mind when Petrina first began breastfeeding her oldest daughter Isobel in 2018. Some practical products are not readily available and it was this coupled with her own struggles of breastfeeding that she realised more needed to be done to support breastfeeding. As a result, she identified a need for what is now called Mama’s Boobie Box.
This unique gift box provides the practicalities and tangible products which would make a delightful gift for any new mum or mum-to-be.
Mama’s Boobie Box is online only operating from Ennis, Co. Clare and provides free delivery in Ireland for orders over €50. You can view the full range at www.mamasboobiebox.com.
