397. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, when the legislation allowing ill women to defer maternity leave is passed, this will be backdated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38780/24]

Following approval by Cabinet last week, it is my intention to now publish the Maternity Protection Bill 2024 and bring this Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas to enactment as soon as possible.

This Bill will allow women undergoing treatment for a very serious physical or mental illness to postpone their maternity leave.

Under the Bill, anyone still on maternity leave at the date of commencement will, if eligible, be able to postpone any remaining maternity leave, but it will not be possible to backdate these entitlements.

This reform follows on from a commitment I made at the end of last year, following a campaign by the Irish Cancer Society. I commend the work done by the Irish Cancer Society and others to highlight this important issue, and I am very pleased to be able to progress this reform.