Mothers and babies outside Dáil to demand extension to maternity leave

New mothers and their babies met politicians and media at the Dáil gates today to hand over a 25 and a half thousand strong Uplift petition to extend maternity leave.

Tara McDarby, there with Callum, four months old, said: “We need childcare solutions available to us so we can return to work.

"We should not have to give up our jobs. Women have the right to be in the workplace, as well as know their children are being taken care off.

"That’s why we’re calling on the government to extend maternity leave for another 12 weeks until things go back to normal.”

Shae Flanagan of Uplift’s said: “This group of new mothers 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.”

The petition was handed over to politicians, including Deputy Bríd Smith, Senator Marie Sherlock and Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Link to petition: https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/extend-maternity-leave-and-maternity-benefit.