Justice Minister Helen McEntee will be taking her six months maternity leave with Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys taking over the portfolio, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced.
Ms McEntee will take paid maternity leave from her role as Minister of Justice for six months with effect from April 30.
Mr Martin said: “Minister McEntee will remain a member of the government without portfolio for that period.
“She will be provided with the necessary administrative supports to carry out any limited duties that may arise.”
Mr Martin said Minister Heather Humpreyhs, who already holds the brief for Minister of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development will now also be assigned the responsibility for Justice for from the period May 1 to October 31.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton will also be assigned Junior Minister for the Department of Justice for the same period of time.
In a statement, Ms McEntee said women and men should know that having a family is not an impediment to a career in public life.
She said: “There are still many barriers to women entering politics. One of those barriers is the lack of maternity and paternity leave for councillors, TDs, senators and ministers.
“Women and men should know that having a family is not an impediment to a career in public life.
“Just as many young girls as young boys want to succeed in politics.
“Just as many girls as boys aspire to help our communities and our society by becoming public representatives and leaders.
“But they do not see the equality of their dreams and ambitions matched in equality of representation.
“Just as girls of my generation looked to the strong women who came before us for inspiration and guidance, those of us in politics now have a responsibility to make it easier for today’s girls to fulfil those dreams and ambitions.
“I and my colleagues in Government are determined to change the current system for the next generation.
“I welcome the fact that the Citizen’s Assembly on Gender Equality is considering the question of maternity, paternity and other types of leave for public representatives.
“The Assembly will produce its recommendations by the end of June.
“I would particularly like to thank Minister Humphreys for agreeing to be Minister for Justice, as well as Minister of State Naughton for taking a significant proportion of work within the Department of Justice, during the period of my leave.
“I am also extremely grateful to Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne for his help in assuming additional responsibilities in the Department of Justice during this period.
“While I am very thankful to all my colleagues for their help and co-operation in accommodating me, it is clear that the lack of provision for maternity, paternity and other types of leave for those in public life is an issue that needs a long term solution.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across politics to bring about these much needed changes.”
