Laois councillor opts to continue duties during maternity break
The Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council has opted to continue to fulfil her duties as a county councillor after becoming the first in Ireland to be entitled to step back from the council while on maternity leave.
Fine Gael Cllr Thomasina Connell gave birth to a baby boy last December in the same month that the Government introduced new leglislation that gives maternity cover and supports to local representatives, in efforts to increase numbers of women in politics.
Cllr Connell was back on duty in January, remotely attending the January meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District. She accepted congratulations from her colleagues on her new arrival, before getting back to tabling motions on behalf of her constituents.
She since confirmed to the Leinster Express that she will be making use of one aspect of the new supports.
The legislation allows a councillor to choose a temporary substitute for their seat, but it also offers the option to fund an administrative assistant if the public representative chooses to keep working, with final paperwork on this option still being drafted.
Cllr Connell has opted not to appoint a substitute but will be availing of the allowance.
She welcomed the support, speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
"This is a great and very welcome piece of legislation. Every person’s situation is unique to them and this legislation will give more choice and support to women, allowing them to decide what works best for them and their families," she said.
The Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022 was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins, on December 21, 2022.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing and Local Government explains what is offered.
"The Local Government (Maternity Protection and other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Act 2022 gives legislative effect to Government commitments to establish, for the first time, an entitlement of maternity leave to local authority elected members, equivalent to the current entitlement for employees under the Maternity Protection Act 1994.
"The Act also provides for the possibility of the appointment by co-option of an individual as a temporary substitute for a councillor that takes maternity leave under the Maternity Protection Act 1994, or is absent due to illness or in good faith for another reason under Section 18 of the Local Government Act 2001.
"In parallel, as part of a package of family-related supports for local authority elected members, an allowance for administrative supports will be introduced for councillors. Regulations are being drafted which will provide a family support allowance payable to councillors who are availing of maternity leave and are stepping back from their role as an elected member (and have not been replaced by a temporary substitute) or who have recently given birth and choose not to avail of maternity leave, to engage additional administrative or secretarial support to assist them in their role."
The Department added that a councillor can avail of the administrative support ahead of the regulations being finalised.
Cllr Connell contested the 2016 General Election for Fine Gael in Laois. She was elected to Laois County Council in 2019.