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Maternity leave for teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs)
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Maternity leave is a statutory leave of absence from employment for teachers and special needs assistants.
A pregnant teacher who gives birth to a living child is entitled to 26 weeks statutory paid Maternity Leave and up to a maximum of 16 consecutive weeks statutory additional unpaid Maternity Leave. In the event of a premature birth, the teacher may also be entitled to Extended Maternity Leave for Premature Birth.
A teacher may also apply for non-statutory additional Unpaid Maternity Leave until the end of the school year i.e. 31st August. In the event of a stillbirth, or miscarriage, any time after the 24th week of pregnancy, or where the child has a birth weight of at least 500 grammes, full Maternity Leave entitlements apply.
For further information, please refer to the Maternity Leave Scheme contained in Circular Letter 0054/2019 Maternity leave for teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs)
Due to legislative changes, employers are advised of an amendment to the Maternity Leave Scheme. Please refer to Information Note TC 0023/2021.
A pregnant SNA who gives birth to a living child is entitled to 26 weeks statutory paid Maternity Leave and up to a maximum of 16 consecutive weeks statutory additional unpaid Maternity Leave. In the event of a premature birth, the SNA may also be entitled to Extended Maternity Leave for Premature Birth. In the event of a stillbirth, or miscarriage, any time after the 24th week of pregnancy, or where the child has a birth weight of at least 500 grammes, full Maternity Leave entitlements apply.
For further information on Maternity Protection Entitlements for SNA’s please refer to Circular 0017/2013 titled ‘Maternity Protection Entitlements for Special Needs Assistants’.
Due to legislative changes, employers are advised of an amendment to Circular 0017/2013 titled ‘Maternity Protection Entitlements for Special Needs Assistants’. Please refer to Information Note TC 0024/2021.
In relation to breastfeeding breaks for SNA’s, please refer to Circular 0039/2021 titled ‘Extended Breastfeeding Breaks for Special Needs Assistants employed In Recognised Primary and Post Primary Schools’ which outlines the extension of provision for breastfeeding breaks from ‘within a 26-week period’ to ‘within a 104-week period’ after the birth of the child and includes the procedures that must be followed.
A teacher must complete the Application Form on page 57 of Circular 0054/2019 and submit it to their employer at least 6 weeks prior to the planned commencement date.
Special needs assistants must complete the application form on page 11 of the form below and return it to their employer at least six weeks in advance of commencement of the leave.
0017/2013
DownloadTeacher and SNAs: Terms and Conditions
Address:
Teacher/SNAs Terms & Conditions, Department of Education, Cornamaddy, Athlone, N37 X659
Email:
Phone number:
