Having children can put increased pressure on a family’s income, which is why the latest statistics on maternity leave benefits around Europe may prove frustrating for mums and dads living in the Republic of Ireland.

 

According to research carried out across 15 European countries as well as the US, the Republic ranks last when it comes to financial maternity benefits such as paid sick leave.

 

Currently, mums living in the Republic are paid for 26 out of their total 42-week maternity leave period.

 

The research, conducted on behalf of careers website Glassdoor, revealed that countries including Spain, France, Germany and The Netherlands are bounding ahead in progress, offering mothers 100% of earnings accumulated over the full maternity leave period.

 

There were similarly disappointing results when it came to the subject of paternity leave, although this is set to change with the introduction of at least two weeks of paid paternity leave next September.

 

It wasn’t all bad news for mums living in the Republic however; the research did reveal that we rank second in Europe when it comes to offering the longest period of maternity leave.

 

SHARE if you would like to see us catch up with our European counterparts.

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