It's in an effort to make local politics more family-friendly.
Plans to introduce maternity leave for county councillors are being welcomed locally.
Proposals due before Cabinet tomorrow would see councillors eligible to co-opt a replacement for the duration of their leave and give access to secretarial assistance.
Westmeath councillor Louise Heavin has two young children.
She says the volume of calls and unreasonably long meetings are some of the most difficult aspects of the job.
Nine of the 58 councillors in the midlands are women.
The Green Party rep says the making the role more family-friendly will benefit everyone:
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