Ireland secures pregnant transgenders' right to 26 weeks of maternity leave

Participants of an LGBT event with a rainbow flag. Photo: Pexels

In Ireland, transgenders who are legally recognized as men and who have "become pregnant" or "given birth" to a child are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, say the guidelines of the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE).

To avail of the leave, an employee must hold a gender recognition certificate issued under Ireland's 2015 Gender Recognition Act.

After the paid maternity leave ends, a transgender man may take up to an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave. There is no minimum length-of-service requirement to qualify for maternity leave.

During the 26 weeks, HSE employees retain their basic salary and standard fixed allowances, taking into account benefits paid by the Department of Social Protection. They also continue to accrue service, pension rights, and paid annual leave.

Upon returning to work, they are entitled to statutory breastfeeding breaks. At the same time, the HSE guidelines retain the traditional concepts of "mother" and "father": for example, leave may be transferred to the father in the event of the mother's death during childbirth.

The UOJ previously reported that the Czech Republic rejected the Istanbul Convention over gender ideology.

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