Justice Minister Helen McEntee will take six months of paid maternity leave from April 30th.
Minister McEntee is the first Cabinet minister in the history of the State to be pregnant while in office.
She will remain a member of the government without a portfolio, with Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys taking on the Justice brief.
Many of the duties of the role will be delegated to Super Junior Minister Hildegarde Naughton and Minister of State James Browne.
Minister McEntee, meanwhile, will be reappointed as Justice Minister when her leave finishes in November.
Minister Helen McEntee will take 6 months paid maternity leave from April 30th. She will remain a member of the government without portfolio. Minister Heather Humphreys is being assigned the Justice brief
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 11, 2021
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil they have worked out the situation, despite the lack of specific maternity leave for politicians.
A Citizens' Assembly is set to recommend a long-term solution during the summer.
Minister McEntee said: "Women and men should know that having a family is not an impediment to a career in public life.
"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."
