Maternity Benefit is a payment for employed and
self-employed women who satisfy certain PRSI contribution
conditions on their own insurance record.
The following information has been issued by the
Department of Social and Family Affairs:
You will qualify for Maternity Benefit:
If you are an Employee and you:
- are in employment which is covered by the Maternity
Protection Act 1994 immediately before the first day of your
maternity leave. The last day of insurable employment may be
within 16 weeks of the end of the week in which your baby is
due. (If you cease employment, your Maternity Leave must
commence from the following day.)
and
- satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions
If you are Self-Employed and you:
- are in insurable Self-Employment
and
- satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.
Note:
The recent change announced in the budget increasing the
maternity leave from 18 to 22 weeks only applies to women who
commence their maternity leave on or after 1st March 2006.
The increase in the maternity leave from
22 to 26 weeks applies to women who will commence their
maternity leave on or after 1st March 2007.
The increase in the additional unpaid
maternity leave from 8 to 12 weeks only applies to women who
commence their additional unpaid leave on or after 1st March
2006 subject to them having notified their employer of their
intention to take such leave.
The increase in the additional unpaid
maternity leave from 12 to 16 weeks applies to women who will
commence their additional unpaid leave on or after 1st March
2007.
Rate of Benefit
The weekly rate of Maternity Benefit is calculated
by dividing a woman's gross income in the relevant tax year by
the number of weeks they actually worked in that year.
The rate of Maternity Benefit is 80% of this
amount, subject to a minimum payment of €182.60 and a maximum
payment of €265.60 per week. These rates are effective from 2nd
January 2006.
For claims made in 2006 the relevant tax year is
2004.
You may e-mail Maternity Benefit enquiries to
maternityben@welfare.ie
Leaflet:
Maternity Benefit - SW 11
Form:
MB 10
Freedom of Information:
Maternity Benefit
Rate of Payment:
Maternity Benefit Rates 2006
LoCall 1890 690 690
Adoptive Benefit
Adoptive Benefit is a payment to an adopting
mother or a single male who adopts a child. It is available to
both employees and self-employed people who satisfy certain PRSI
contribution conditions on their own insurance record.
Note:
The increase in the adoptive leave from 16 to 20 weeks only
applies to persons who commence their adoptive leave on or after
1st March 2006.
The increase in the adoptive leave from 20
to 24 weeks applies to persons who will commence their adoptive
leave on or after 1st March 2007.
The increase in the additional unpaid
adoptive leave from 8 to 12 weeks only applies to persons who
commence their additional unpaid adoptive leave on or after 1st
March 2006, subject to them having notified their employer of
their intention to take such leave.
The increase in the additional unpaid
adoptive leave from 12 to 16 weeks applies to persons who
commence their additional unpaid adoptive leave on or after 1st
March 2007.
Rate of Benefit
The weekly rate of Adoptive Benefit is calculated
by dividing a woman's gross income in the relevant tax year by
the number of weeks they actually worked in that year.
The rate of Adoptive Benefit is 80% of this
amount, subject to a minimum payment of €182.60 and a maximum
payment of €265.60 per week. These rates are effective from 2nd
January 2006.
For claims made in 2006 the relevant tax year is
2004.
Leaflet:
Adoptive Benefit SW 37
Form:
AB 1
Freedom of Information:
Adoptive Benefit
NOVEMBER 27, 2006:
Minister announces funding of €27m for extending of paid Maternity Leave
to 26 Weeks
