Before and after baby is born

Maternity allowance is paid directly to you on a weekly basis in your bank or building society account. Some employers will pay for an employee, in full, while they are on maternity leave and subject to their task of any social assistance rates to them. You should your employment to see what applies to you. Maternity allowance is a tax payment. 

If you consider that you have been wrongly denied maternity allowance, or you are unhappy about the decision of a Social Welfare Officer decision regarding your claim, you have the option of appealing this decision Social Welfare. 

Leave Certification  

All employees are required to leave by their employers. However, if your contract of employment terminates within 16 weeks after the expected date of confinement and the PRSI contribution conditions, benefits payable from the day after the date on your P45. 

Length of time maternity allowance is paid 

From 1 March 2007, maternity allowance for 26 weeks. To qualify for the 26 weeks maternity pay, you must start your maternity leave on or after 1 March 2007. At least 2 weeks and not more than 16 weeks have to leave before the end of the week in which your baby is. 

If your baby is born later than expected, and you have less than 4 weeks maternity leave left, you may be entitled to your maternity leave to ensure that a full 4 weeks after the week from birth. Under these circumstances, maternity benefit is to you, until the child is four weeks old. You must join the Maternity Benefit Section of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Family, giving them a letter from your doctor on the date on which your child was born. 

From 1 March 2007, you can create a further 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave, such period not covered by Maternity Benefit. 

Premature births 

If your baby is born prematurely (ie before maternity leave is to begin), you should see a letter from your doctor confirming that the baby was born prematurely and the date the baby was born, the maternity allowance from the Department of Social - Affairs and family. 

Hospitalization of baby 

If your baby is in hospital and you will receive maternity pay for a minimum of 14 weeks you can pay the remaining 12 weeks (from March 1, 2007) maternity allowance for up to 6 months. The payment of maternity allowance you must apply in writing to the Maternity Benefit Section in the Department of Social and Family Affairs. If your child is discharged from the hospital, you have to the Maternity Benefit Section in writing and payment of the remaining 12 weeks maternity pay will be made within seven days.