‘Anti-woman’ maternity leave cuts could face legal challenge
The changes will remove access to up to 30 days of additional maternity leave currently available to teachers in some instances. The extra days are to allow for the fact that some of their statutory six months’ leave might fall during summer holidays or other school closures.
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn says the arrangement is not available to any other public servants and the cut, announced in December’s budget, will save €20m a year in substitution costs.
Mother of four Tracie Tobin from Limerick told the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation annual congress that maternity leave has regressed, having benefited from increases in statutory maternity leave from 18 to 26 weeks between the births of her twins in 2004 and her fourth child in 2011.
“We’re falling far behind our European neighbours, whose maternity leave far exceeds ours,” she said. “It is astonishing that maternity and adoptive leave entitlements for teachers have regressed in 10 years.”
Ms Tobin said Finland, which has one of the best education systems in the world, provides 56 weeks of maternity leave.
INTO central executive member Margaret Bernard said the leave cut and the taxation of maternity benefit made the last budget anti-women, anti-budget, and anti-teacher.
“New mothers in every other job can add their annual holidays to extend their maternity leave without any duress,” she said.
The INTO is asking teachers affected by the move, which comes in on May 1, to take cases with the full support and legal representation offered by the union.
Executive member Mary Magner, a teacher in Mallow, Co Cork, said INTO negotiated some small changes to the plans announced in December, but the legal advice is that the cut may still be in breach of maternity protection and employment equality laws.
Alma Brady, a Blanchardstown branch member, is due to have her second child in July. Her leave begins on Jun 27, meaning eight weeks of her maternity leave will overlap with her holidays, and she will be due back in school in December.
“During these times of financial stress, I will be forced to begin paying childcare fees six weeks early. This equates to a cost of about €2,200 for my children,” she said.
“On top of this, I will miss out on an extra eight weeks of precious time with my newborn. This is both anti-women and anti-family.”
Kate Relihan, also from the Blanchardstown branch, said the union must do more to protect the basic rights of an 85%-female workforce.
* Scoil Náisúnta an Chroí Naofa, Glounthaune, Co Cork, requests a €100 fee to “activate” a child’s enrolment. This is refundable when a child either takes up or is refused a place.
* Scoil Eoin in Ballincollig asks for a €50 deposit when a child accepts a place at a school. This is then used against book list cost in September.
* The same system operates at Scoil Bhríde, Eglantine, Douglas, where a €50 deposit is required if a place is accepted.
* At Carrigaline Educate Together, a €60 deposit is required, then used to offset arts and crafts costs.
* At Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn, Mayfield, a €50 deposit is taken if a place is accepted and then used against books.
* At Douglas Community School, an enrolment administration fee of €140 is required, refundable if a place is not offered.
* At St Angela’s College in Cork, a non-refundable €40 fee is required at enrolment.
