Local Kildare Councillors To Have Paid Maternity Leave From Next Year, Under New Plans

The lack of proper maternity leave has often been cited as a barrier to women getting involved in local politics.

Councillors will be given the right to maternity leave for the first time under plans that have been brought to Cabinet.

They will be able to select a substitute to do the job including casting votes for the duration of the maternity leave.

Alternatively they can opt to have an admin payment made to the period of the leave to do secretarial work.

The lack of proper maternity leave has often been cited as a barrier to women getting involved in local politics.

The scheme offers the choice to appoint an individual as a temporary substitute in the place a Councillor who takes a period of maternity-related absence or is absent due to illness.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, commented : "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.  

"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.

"Currently female councillors are office-holders rather than employees and as such, they are not covered by the statutory framework for employees on issues such as maternity leave.

"By making a legislative provision for female councillors to access maternity leave under the Maternity Protection Act 1994, Councillors will be entitled to the same rights as female employees, and those with the relevant PRSI contributions.

"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," he insisted. 

“Separately, if a Councillor does not want to have a substitute, but would like more administrative support, I am bringing forward regulations which will mean Councillors will be given funding for additional administrative assistance for the duration of their maternity leave.  

"This will mean they can pay someone on a weekly basis to assist with secretarial work.

Today’s policy proposals were also informed by an all-female working group established by Minister Burke last year, specifically to explore the provision of maternity leave and supports for county and city councillors.

"The group was made up of seven female councillors, nominated by the main political parties as well as an independent councillor, was representative of councillors from urban and rural constituencies and a demographic that had first-hand experiences of the issues facing women elected representatives," he added.

The draft legislation is now being prepared and will be passed through the Oireachtas over the coming period.