Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Number 34 of 1994). Country/Territory Ireland Document type Legislation Date 1994 (2020) Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn act to implement Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding, to re-enact with amendments the provisions of the Maternity Protection Of Employees Acts, 1981 and 1991, to entitle a male employee to leave in certain cases where the mother of his child dies, to extend as a consequence of the above-mentioned provisions the protection against unfair dismissals conferred by The Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977, and to provide for related matters. Subject Food & nutrition, General Keyword Gender Social protection Public health Economic/social/cultural rights Equity Dispute settlement Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Human rights Breastfeeding/infant food Special dietary uses Nutrition Geographical area Atlantic Ocean Islands, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, North Atlantic, North-East Atlantic, Northern Europe Abstract This Act contains provisions aimed at regulating maternity leave; allocation of minimum period, extension, including entitlement to time off from work or reduction of working hours for breastfeeding. In particular an employee who is breastfeeding shall be entitled, without loss of pay, at the option of her employer to either—time off from her work for the purpose of breastfeeding in the workplace, or a reduction of her working hours. Furthermore the Act contains provisions on employment protection, such as preservation or suspension of certain rights while on protective leave, etc. Part V resolution of disputes. Full text English Website revisedacts.lawreform.ie