A Dhuine Uasail 1. Apart from a compulsory period of two weeks to be taken before or after the expected date of confinement, the taking of maternity leave is at the discretion of the woman concerned. If the date of confinement occurs in a week that is four weeks or more before the expected date of confinement and the woman had not yet commenced her maternity leave, the date of confinement will be regarded as the first day of maternity leave. If the date of confinement occurs in a week after the expected date of confinement and is such that less than four weeks of maternity leave are remaining, then maternity leave will be extended by the number of weeks between the expected date of confinement and the actual date of confinement, subject to a maximum of four weeks, such that at least four weeks of maternity leave will have been taken after the confinement.
Maternity leave is, therefore, fully reckonable for service, seniority and annual leave entitlement.
Evidence of appointment or attendance at the clinic will be required. Attendance at post-natal clinics is covered only during the fourteen weeks immediately following confinement. In addition, paid time off from duty may be allowed for verified attendance at ante-natal classes. Payment while on Maternity Leave 5. Subject to paragraph 6 below, a woman on maternity leave is entitled to full pay, except where she has been appointed for a fixed term of less than 26 weeks.