In Ireland, pregnant women are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave. After that, a further 16 weeks of unpaid leave may be offered. Trans men who meet the eligibility requirements are therefore covered by the scheme.

[https://twitter.com/CatholicArena/status/2085466352551112947?s=20](https://twitter.com/CatholicArena/status/2085466352551112947?s=20)

The scheme has existed since 2023, but it was not until 2026 that the paradox of the state registering a biological woman as a man without ‘him’ losing rights associated with pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding – realities that belong to the biological sex of woman – received public attention.