Varadkar to consider extending maternity leave by three months

Good news for new mothers.

Last week new mothers and their babies met with politicians and media at the Dáil to hand over a petition to extend maternity leave. The petition, which was signed by over 25,000 people, detailed the struggles that many parents are facing due to the closures of childcare facilities and asked the government to extend maternity leave and benefits by three months. Now, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he would give consideration to extending maternity leave. "I will give it consideration, and I mean that," Varadkar said when presented with the petition from the group of new mothers and TD Brid Smith, according to the Irish Examiner. He added that he can see the benefits of extending leave for parents who have had a baby over the last couple of months. Concerns remain though due to the current government forming talks that could hinder any plans to change the current legislation regarding maternity leave. Despite this, those involved in the petition remain hopeful that changes will be made. "This group of new mums have been campaigning hard for weeks and 25 and half thousand Uplift members are behind them," said Uplift's Shae Flanagan. "They need certainty about their futures and the welfare of their babies. Our people-powered community is calling on the government to make sure families are protected."