Breastfeeding Breaks

Teachers

Purpose

Within 104 weeks of the birth of a child, a teacher who has returned to work may avail of breastfeeding breaks, without loss of pay, for up to one hour per day. These breaks are provided for the purpose of breastfeeding or lactation.

A teacher wishing to avail of breastfeeding breaks must submit an application at least four weeks before the proposed commencement date. The application should be made using the form at Appendix A of Circular Letter 0052/2023 and must be accompanied by a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Where the teacher continues to breastfeed and wishes to continue availing of breastfeeding breaks, the application form must be re-submitted before the beginning of each subsequent school term.

Maximum Period:

Breastfeeding breaks may be taken in one of the following ways:

  1. One break of 60 minutes;

  2. Two breaks of 30 minutes each; or

  3. Three breaks of 20 minutes each.

The employer should take reasonable steps to facilitate the pattern of breaks requested by the teacher. However, the educational, welfare and care needs of students must take precedence.

Where the requested pattern cannot be facilitated, the employer and teacher should explore and agree an alternative arrangement.

For full details on breastfeeding breaks, please refer to Circular Letter 0052/2023.

For full details on maternity leave entitlements generally, please refer to Circular Letter 0054/2019 – Leave Schemes, Chapter 2.

Paid/unpaid for teacher

Paid.
No substitute, pattern agreed following consultation, may be covered under S&S Scheme

Cover type

  • No substitution paid

  • Use S&S

Circular Letter

For full details on Breastfeeding Breaks for teachers, please refer to circular letter 0052/2023.

Special Needs Assistants

Within 104 weeks of the birth of a child, an SNA who has returned to work may avail of breastfeeding breaks, without loss of pay, for up to one hour per day within a 104-week period following the birth of the child as follows:

  • One break of 60 minutes
    or

  • Two breaks of 30 minutes each
    or

  • Three breaks of 20 minutes each

 These breaks are provided for the purpose of breastfeeding or lactation.

The employer should take reasonable measures to facilitate the pattern of breastfeeding breaks as requested, but must ensure the educational, welfare and care needs of pupils take precedence.

Where it is not possible for the employer to facilitate the breastfeeding breaks pattern, as initially requested by the SNA, alternate patterns must be explored and agreed upon.

No substitution is provided by the Department.

For full details on Breastfeeding Breaks for Special Needs Assistants, please refer to circular letter 0053/2023.

Other Employees

An employee who has returned to work is entitled to breastfeeding breaks of up to one hour per day within a 104-week period following the birth of the child as follows:

  • One break of 60 minutes
    or

  • Two breaks of 30 minutes each
    or

  • Three breaks of 20 minutes each

These breaks are provided for the purpose of breastfeeding or lactation.

An application should be made at least four weeks before the return to work following Maternity Leave. The pattern of breaks should be discussed and agreed following consultation with the Principal. Breastfeeding breaks are paid breaks.

Refer to circular 0007/2024 for Breastfeeding Breaks for School Secretaries covered by the terms of the WRC Agreement.