Varadkar says he will 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 gates to hand over a petition to extend maternity leave. The petition was then signed by over 25,000 people but even more signatures have been added online since. Now Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he would give consideration to extending maternity leave by as much as three months. When presented with the petition from the group of new mothers and TD Brid Smith, according to the Irish Examiner Mr Varadkar is quoted as having said "I will give it consideration, and I mean that."   He added that he can see the benefits of extending leave for parents who have had a baby over the last couple of months. There are concerns though that because there is currently no government in place it could hinder any plans to change the current legislation regarding maternity leave but those involved in the petition remain hopeful that it will be seen through. Speaking on Friday Uplift’s Shae Flanagan said;

"This group of new mums have been campaigning hard for weeks and 25 and half thousand Uplift members are behind them. 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."

We will update with any further development.