Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Cathaoirleach might allow me to take the liberty of welcoming the children from Our Lady Queen of Peace national school in Janesboro and their principal, Mr. Michael Ryan, who are in the Gallery. I will raise the issue of maternity benefit delays. I note the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, has stated there are problems with a new system. The delays appear to have arisen because a new system is being implemented in the Department of Social Protection for the processing of maternity benefit.The Department should go back to the old system to get rid of the backlog and perhaps delay the introduction of the new system. Maternity benefit is based on contributions. It is not a means-assessed payment and, therefore, it is relatively straightforward. Assessment is based on the number of stamps paid in previous years. Women who are employees apply six weeks before they go on maternity leave and 12 weeks before if they are self-employed. Taking all factors into account in respect of the delays, perhaps what is required is a return to the old system and a staggering of the introduction of the new system, perhaps over a slightly longer period, to ensure women who are on maternity leave at the moment and who are not in payment will come into payment as quickly as possible. Perhaps there is a common sense solution in the short term. We all want innovation in the Department but it is critical that a mechanism is found whereby the payments can be sped up. The payments system had been working efficiently. My suggestion to the Minister for Social Protection is that he should process the backlog under the old system and stagger the introduction of the new system, perhaps over a longer period, in order that arrears can be brought up to date and that there can be a smooth transition in respect of payments between the old and new systems.