John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government has committed to the full implementation of the national maternity strategy, yet the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Varadkar, seems confused about something as basic as the current waiting times for the payment of maternity benefit. In a reply to a parliamentary question four weeks ago, he stated that the average waiting time was 17.7 weeks. This morning on the radio, however, he stated that it was between four and six weeks. Some clarity is necessary. Given that the Minister referred to 17.7 weeks only a few weeks ago, why is he only now committing to taking on additional staff and providing overtime to clear these unsatisfactory delays? He seems to be zen about when the Taoiseach will be departing and the latter's long goodbye, but he is also zen about maternity benefits.

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