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Updated to 27 March 2025 (Act No. 1 of 2025 and S.I. No. 95 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Maternity Protection Act 1994
No. 34 of 1994

Contents

Commencement

SectionCommencement DateCommencement Information
Whole Act 30 January 1995 Maternity Protection Act, 1994 (Commencement) Order, 1995 (S.I. No. 16 of 1995), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in definition of "employment enactments" and "relevant enactments" (Coll. cit.) 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 2 and sch. 1
Redress procedure provided (Parts II, III, IV) 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 41(2), sch. 5 part 3 item 1
Act included in collectively cited Maternity Protection Acts 28/2004, s. 27(2), (3)
Transfer of certain functions and references construed S.I. No. 436 of 2020, arts. 1(2), 2, 3, schedule 1
  S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3, schedule 1
  S.I. No. 139 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3(1), schedule (col. cit.)
  S.I. No. 217 of 2010, art 1(2), 2, 3
  42/2004, ss. 3(1), 4, 58, 59(1), 59(2), 59(3), schedule 3
  S. I. No. 297 of 1997, art. 4(1)(a), schedule
S. 2 amended 38/2017, s. 16(a)
  11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(a)
S. 2(1) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 34(a)
  52/2022, s. 1(a)(i)
  35/2019, ss. 1(2), 35(a)
  9/2015, ss. 1(5), 176(a)(i)
S. 2(1) references construed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 66(2), 66(3)
S. 2(1A) inserted 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 176(a)(ii)
S. 2(2)(b) amended 52/2022, s. 1(a)(ii)(I)
  11/2013, ss. 1(2), 72(1), schedule 6, item 18
S. 2(2)(c) amended 52/2022, s. 1(a)(ii)(II)
S. 2(2)(d) inserted 52/2022, s. 1(a)(ii)(III)
Pt. II (ss. 7-16) redress procedure provided (Parts II, III, IV) 16/2015, s. 1(2), 41(2), schedule 5, pt. 3, item 1
S. 7(2) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 34(b)
S. 8 substituted 28/2004, ss. 2, 27(3)
S. 8 applied 26/2005, ss. 47(1)(b), 364(1)
S. 8(1) amended S.I. No. 29 of 2001, arts. 2, 4
S. 8(1)(a) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 8(a), art 2(4)
S. 8(1)(a) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 4(a), art. 2(1)
S. 8(1)(b) amended 37/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(a)
  S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 8(b), art 2(4)
S. 8(1)(b) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 4(b), art. 2(1)
Ss. 8(1A), 8(1B) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(b)
S. 8A inserted 38/2017, s. 16(c)
S. 9(1) amended 52/2022, s. 1(b)(i)
S. 9(3) inserted 52/2022, s. 1(b)(ii)
S. 10(1) amended 28/2004, ss. 3, 27(3)
S. 11(1) construction of references "registered medical practitioner" 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1)
S. 13(2) amended S.I. No. 29 of 2001, arts. 2, 5
S. 13(2) substituted 28/2004, ss. 4, 27(3)
S. 13(2)(a) amended 38/2017, s. 16(d)(i)
  S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 9(a), 2(4)
S. 13(2)(a) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 5(a), 2(1)
S. 13(2)(b) amended 37/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(b)
  38/2017, s. 16(d)(ii)
  S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 5(b), 2(1)
S. 13(2)(b) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 9(b), 2(4)
S. 13A inserted 38/2017, s. 16(e)
S. 14(1) amended 11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(b)(i)
  S.I. No. 29 of 2001, arts. 2, 6
S. 14(1) substituted 28/2004, ss. 5(a), 27(3)
S. 14(1)(a) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 10(a), 2(4)
S. 14(1)(a) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 6(a), 2(1)
S. 14(1)(b) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 10(b), 2(4)
S. 14(1)(b) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 6(b), art. 2(1)
S. 14(3) amended 28/2004, ss. 5(b), 27(3)
S. 14(4) substituted 11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(b)(ii)
S. 14(6) substituted 28/2004, ss. 5(c), 27(3)
S. 14(7) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(f)
S. 14A inserted 28/2004, ss. 6, 27(3)
S. 14A(1)(a) amended 37/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(c)
S. 14A(5) inserted 11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(c)
S. 14B applied S.I. No. 142 of 2007, arts. 2, 30
S. 14B inserted 28/2004, ss. 7, 27(3)
S. 14B maximum period of postponement of leave prescribed S. I. No. 655 of 2004, regs. 1(2), 3
S. 14B evidence to be furnished for the purposes of S. I. No. 655 of 2004, regs. 1(2), 4
S. 14B(1) amended 37/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(d)
S. 14C inserted 37/2024, ss. 1(2), 3(e)
S. 15 entitlement prescribed S.I. No. 18 of 1995, regs. 1, 3, 4
S. 15A entitlements prescribed S.I. No. 653 of 2004
S. 15A inserted 28/2004, ss. 8, 27(3)
S. 15B entitlements prescribed S.I. No. 654 of 2004
S. 15B inserted 28/2004, ss. 9, 27(3)
S. 16 amended 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 176(b)
S. 16 application extended 26/2005, ss. 47(4)(b), 47(5)(c), 364(1)
S. 16(1) amended 8/2023, ss. 1(3), 34(c)
  35/2019, ss. 1(2), 35(b)(i)
  11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(d)(i)
  S.I. No. 29 of 2001, arts. 2, 7(a)
S. 16(1) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 11(a), 2(4)
S. 16(1) substituted 28/2004, ss. 10(a), 27(3)
S. 16(1) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 7(a), 2(1)
S. 16(1A) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(g)
S. 16(1A) amended 35/2019, ss. 1(2), 35(b)(ii)
S. 16(2)(a) amended 38/2017, s. 16(h)
S. 16(3) amended 35/2019, ss. 1(2), 35(b)(iii)
  38/2017, s. 16(i)(i)
  11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(d)(ii)
S. 16(3) substituted 28/2004, ss. 10(b), 27(3)
S. 16(3)(aa) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(i)(ii)
S. 16(4) amended 11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(d)(iii)
  S.I. No. 29 of 2001, arts. 2, 7(b)
S. 16(4) substituted 28/2004, ss. 10(b), 27(3)
S. 16(4)(a) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, arts. 11(b)(i), 2(4)
S. 16(4)(a) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 7(b)(i), art. 2(1)
S. 16(4)(b) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 7(b)(ii), art. 2(1)
S. 16(4)(b) amended S.I. No. 51 of 2006, art. 11(b)(ii),art 2(4)
S. 16(5) amended 28/2004, ss. 10(c), 27(3)
S. 16(6) amended 11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(d)(iv)
S. 16(8) amended 11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(d)(v)
S. 16(10) amended 38/2017, s. 16(j)(i)
S. 16(10) inserted 11/2016, ss. 1(2), 34(d)(vi)
S. 16(10)(c)(i) amended 38/2017, s. 16(j)(iii)
S. 16(10)(c)(ia) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(j)(iv)
S. 16(10)(aa) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(j)(ii)
S. 16(10A) inserted 35/2019, ss. 1(2), 35(b)(iv)
S. 16(11) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(k)
S. 16A inserted 28/2004, ss. 11, 27(3)
S. 16A amended 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 176(c)
S. 16A(1)(a) amended 38/2017, s. 16(l)
S. 16B amended 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 176(d)
S. 16B applied S.I. No. 142 of 2007, arts. 2, 30
S. 16B inserted 28/2004, ss. 12, 27(3)
S. 16B maximum period of postponement of leave prescribed S. I. No. 655 of 2004, regs. 1(2), 3
S. 16B evidence to be furnished for the purposes of S. I. No. 655 of 2004, regs. 1(2), 4
Pt. III (ss. 17-20) redress procedure provided (Parts II, III, IV) 16/2015, s. 1(2), 41(2), schedule 5, pt. 3, item 1
S. 16B(1)(a) amended 38/2017, s. 16(m)(i)
S. 16B(1)(bb) inserted 38/2017, s. 16(m)(ii)
S. 16B(3)(c)(i) amended 38/2017, s. 16(n)
S. 18 compliance notice procedure provided 16/2015, s. 1(2), 28(17), schedule 4
S. 18 applied 26/2005, ss. 52(2)(b), 54, 364(1)
S. 18(2) certificate prescribed S.I. No. 19 of 1995, regs. 1, 2, schedule
S. 18(4) day where person paid for health and safety leave not treated as a day of incapacity S.I. No. 142 of 2007, arts. 2, 21(b)
Pt. IV (ss. 21-29) redress procedure provided (Parts II, III, IV) 16/2015, s. 1(2), 41(2), schedule 5, pt. 3, item 1
S. 18(4) rate of remuneration prescribed S.I. No. 20 of 1995, regs. 1, 3, 4
S. 21 amended 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 176(e)
S. 21(3) inserted 28/2004, ss. 13, 27(3)
S. 21A inserted 52/2022, s. 1(c)
S. 22(1) amended 28/2004, ss. 14(a), 27(3)
S. 22(2) substituted 28/2004, ss. 14(b), 27(3)(b)
S. 22(2A) inserted 28/2004, ss. 14(b), 27(3)(b)
Ss. 23(bb), 23(bbb) inserted 28/2004, ss. 15(a), 27(3)
Ss. 23(dd), 23(ddd) inserted 28/2004, ss. 15(b), 27(3)
S. 23(e) substituted 28/2004, ss. 15(c), 27(3)
S. 24 amended 28/2004, ss. 16(a), 16(b), 27(3)
S. 25(1) amended 28/2004, ss. 17(a), 17(b), 27(3)
Ss. 26(1)(a), 26(1)(c) amended 28/2004, ss. 18(a), 18(b), 27(3)
Ss. 26(2), 26(3) amended 28/2004, ss. 18(c), 18(d), 27(3)
S. 27(2)(b) substituted 28/2004, ss. 19, 27(3)
S. 28(1) amended 28/2004, ss. 20(a), 27(3)
Ss. 28(1A), 28(1B) inserted 28/2004, ss. 20(b), 27(3)
S. 28(2)(a) substituted 28/2004, ss. 20(c), 27(3)
S. 28(3)(a) substituted 28/2004, ss. 20(d), 27(3)
S. 30(1) substituted 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3), schedule 7, pt. 1, item 6
S. 30(4) repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1, item 7
S. 30A inserted 52/2022, s. 1(d)
S. 31 repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1, item 7
S. 31(1) procedure for referral of disputes to rights commissioner prescribed S.I. No. 17 of 1995, regs. 1, 3
S. 31(1)(a) substituted 28/2004, ss. 21, 27(3)
S. 31(1)(a)(iii) amended 9/2015, ss. 1(5), 176(f)
S. 32 substituted 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3), schedule 7, pt. 1, item 6
S. 32(3) method of calculation prescribed S.I. No. 134 of 1999, regs. 1, 3-10
S. 33 repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1, item 7
S. 33(2) procedure for appeal of decisions of rights commissioner prescribed S.I. No. 17 of 1995, regs. 1, 3
S. 33A inserted 28/2004, ss. 22, 27(3)
S. 33A(1) amended 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3), schedule 7, pt. 1, item 6
Ss. 34-37 repealed 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1, item 7
S. 40(1) amended 28/2004, ss. 25, 27(3)

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 8(2) Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 51 of 2006)
  Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 29 of 2001)
S. 14(6) Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 51 of 2006)
  Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 29 of 2001)
S. 14B Maternity Protection (Postponement of Leave) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 655 of 2004)
S. 15 Maternity Protection (Time off for Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Care) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 18 of 1995)
S. 15A Maternity Protection (Time off for Ante-Natal Classes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 653 of 2004)
S. 15B Maternity Protection (Protection of Mothers who are Breastfeeding) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 342 of 2023)
  Maternity Protection (Protection of Mothers who are Breastfeeding) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 654 of 2004)
S. 16(8) Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 51 of 2006)
  Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 29 of 2001)
S. 16B Maternity Protection (Postponement of Leave) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 655 of 2004)
S. 18(2) Maternity Protection (Health and Safety Leave Certification) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 19 of 1995)
S. 18(4) Maternity Protection (Health and Safety Leave Remuneration) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 20 of 1995)
S. 30(5) Maternity Protection (Maximum Compensation) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 134 of 1999)
  Maternity Protection (Disputes and Appeals) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 17 of 1995)
S. 31(1) Maternity Protection (Disputes and Appeals) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 17 of 1995)
S. 32(3) Maternity Protection (Maximum Compensation) Regulations 1999 (S.I. No. 134 of 1999)
S. 33(2) Maternity Protection (Disputes and Appeals) Regulations 1995 (S.I. No. 17 of 1995)