Government approves maternity leave for local councillors

Minister of State for Local Government, Peter Burke, said: "Previously I was aware of situations where councillors felt pressure to turn up to important votes or debates when they needed to be at home caring for a new baby." File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Local councillors will be entitled to maternity leave for the first time under measures signed off by Cabinet.

Currently, female councils are regarded as office-holders rather than employees and are not covered by the statutory framework for employees on issues such as maternity leave.