Creighton: No forewarning on maternity leave measure

Women face an increased risk of being discriminated against in the workplace because of a cut to the sum the State pays towards maternity benefit, according to exiled Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton.

She appealed to Social Protection Minister Joan Burton to postpone the budget measure — due to come into effect in January — until September so it will not effect women who are currently pregnant.

These women had “no forewarning” the Dublin South East TD said, calling for a “constructive and very generous” postponement.

The cut will amount to €32 a week during leave and will hit women in cases where they rely only on state support, and be passed on to employers who chose to top up maternity leave payments.

Independent TD Catherine Murphy said for 1,000 women currently pregnant, this will mean a cut of €300 over 26 weeks.

Independent TD Stephen Donnelly said the savings would be €20m which should be put in the context of €700m in increments that will be paid to public servants next year. This was part of a “consistent trend of discrimination against women” since the 2008 budget, he said.

Ms Creighton said it would act as a disincentive for young women to come off the Live Register and seek employment. “It might lead to an increase in illegal discriminatory practices by employers. And it may affect child welfare, as women may be forced to return to the workforce faster than they would have planned in order to obtain a full salary to meet all their bills and financial requirements.”

During a Dáil debate on the Social Welfare Bill, TDs criticised cuts to dole payments for those aged under 26.

Ms Burton defended the move, saying just 14,000 people would be effected and that it was not her ambition to have people on social welfare.

The bill was passed in the Dáil by 74 votes to 46.