Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the cost to the Exchequer for the extension of maternity leave to 26 weeks. [31539/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Entitlement to maternity benefit is contingent on entitlement to maternity leave, legislation for which is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Significant improvements have been made in the maternity benefit scheme over the recent years. As recently as 2001, improvements were made to increase core maternity leave, which attracted an entitlement to maternity benefit, from 14 to 18 weeks. The period of unpaid maternity leave was also increased from four to eight weeks, bringing the total period of maternity leave to which a woman is entitled to 26 weeks. Based on the current average number of recipients and average rate of payment, a further increase in the duration of maternity benefit by eight weeks would cost approximately €60.9 million in a full year.

There would also be additional Exchequer costs arising from the payroll costs of the many public servants who do not pay full PRSI contribution. While there are no immediate plans to extend the period for which maternity benefit is paid, this issue is being kept under review.