Maternity leave to be extended by four weeks

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs Seamus Brennan has announced €27m in funding for the extension of maternity benefit.

From March next year, new mothers will be entitled to 26 weeks paid leave - an increase of four weeks.

Unpaid leave has also been extended by four weeks, to 16.

It is estimated that 43,000 women are will qualify for the scheme.