New work laws for pregnant women
The changes in legislation, which take effect from next week, will also allow women to take time off work, without losing pay, to attend one set of ante-natal classes.
It was at an employer's discretion whether to dock pay for attending classes.
The only caveat is women will lose pay entitlements for the last three classes, meaning if they attend a set of eight, they will only receive pay for attending the first five.
The legislative changes will allow breastfeeding mothers, without loss of pay, to either take an adjustment of hours so they can continue to feed their child, or a place to breastfeed in the workplace.
This right is only in place for six months after the baby is born.
The changes to maternity leave and return to the workplace, which the new Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act will introduce from next Monday, have been welcomed by women's groups as they "should make life easier for new families."
Linda Doherty, spokesperson for the Irish Childbirth Trust, Ciudiú, said she hoped the changes would lead to "corresponding changes in the workplace culture."
"We hope that the workplace is accepting to the needs of the mother and that she feels comfortable taking her classes during work time or even finishing work earlier in her pregnancy if she feels that she and her baby need it," she said.
"Anything that makes life easier for new families is to be welcomed and this legislation brings us nearer best practice in the EU."
The Act also makes provisions for additional maternity leave in the event of illness and the possibility of postponing maternity leave if the child is hospitalised.
Breastfeeding women will be entitled to take two 15 minute breaks during work.
Irish women are entitled to 18 weeks paid maternity leave and an extra eight weeks unpaid leave.
Time spent on maternity leave is treated as time spent in employment and can be used to accumulate annual leave entitlement.
Employees can take paid time off for a "reasonable" number of medical appointments during their pregnancy.
