Laois Cathaoirleach the first in Ireland to get councillor maternity leave
A Laois county councillor is the first in the Irish state to benefit from maternity leave entitlement for councillors.
Fine Gael Councillor and Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Thomasina Connell, is the first to benefit from the new measures set out in the Local Government and passed by the Oireachtas last Thursday.
She is also the first sitting Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council to have a baby.
The Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Elected Members in Local Authorities Bill 2022 was introduced by the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Peter Burke TD.
It was first announced to happen last June.
Cllr Connell, a solicitor who took a sabbatical from her business to carry out Cathaoirleach duties from June 2022 to June 2023, had told the Leinster Express recently that she was unsure how her maternity leave would work, as the legislation was not yet in place.
"My inclination is to get back to work, that's the person I am. I know that I can delegate to my vice chair, and I know I can definitely rely on Laois County Council and my colleagues to support me," she had said.
She has now welcomed the benefit to attract more women into politics.
“The absence of Maternity Leave and associated rights for Councillors has for so long, been identified as one of the major bars to women entering into, and remaining in political life, particularly at County Council level.
“I am pleased with the options that this legislation delivers, in that, should the leave be taken up by the Councillor, it will allow the nomination by them of a substitute to undertake their role in the Council. This is crucial from many perspectives, not least from the situation where an essential vote arises in the Council Chamber.
“The alternative to taking a period of leave is that an additional allowance is available to cover the cost of administration assistance incurred in order to carry out their Council duties and meet their commitments as a Councillor.
“I am keen to see the impact of targeted measures like the provision of Maternity leave following our next local elections in 2024 and I am certain we will see an increased number of female candidates being elected across the country, where currently only 24% of County Councillors are women,” Cllr Connell said.
Councillor Connell won her first seat in the 2016 General Election and was elected to Laois County Council in May 2019 representing the Portlaoise Municipal District where she lives. She was elected as Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council in June 2022.