Mothers who give birth to premature babies are to get extended maternity leave.
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty will bring the measure to Cabinet this morning.
According to the Irish Examiner, 4,500 mothers a year will benefit from it.
It means the State will pay the benefit between an infant being born and when the woman was due to begin maternity leave.
The Green Party made a proposal to the Government back in April.
The extension will cost in the region of €5m a year.
