Proposals for 20 weeks’ maternity leave on full pay

NEW mothers would get 20 weeks of maternity leave on full pay under proposals agreed by the European Parliament’ women’s rights committee.

At present Irish women are entitled to 26 weeks with a guaranteed sum of between €225 and €270 a week from the state.

About half of women on maternity leave in Ireland have the balance paid by their employers, a further 30% receive some additional money while 19% do not according to a survey two years ago.