Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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237. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extra supports in addition to standard maternity and paternity leave that are available from his Department to parents of premature babies in view of the extra care needed in the early stages of those babies lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40740/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Justice and Equality have responsibility for maternity and paternity leave which are provided for in the 1994 and 2004 Maternity Acts and the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016. The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for maternity and paternity benefit payments provided for in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended).

As the Deputy will be aware the maternity leave legislation provides a 26 week period of statutory maternity leave. Subject to the provisions of social welfare legislation, the 26-week period of core statutory maternity leave attracts a social insurance payment of maternity benefit. A mother can take a further 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave which must be taken immediately after the end of her 26 weeks paid maternity benefit. This period is not covered by maternity benefit but a mother is entitled to a credited social insurance contribution for each week of unpaid leave that is taken (up to the maximum of 16).

In relation to the Deputy’s question maternity leave and maternity benefit can be postponed for up to six months at the discretion of the mother in cases where the child is hospitalised. In these cases entitlement to maternity leave and benefit continues after the period of postponement for a maximum of twelve weeks.

Eligible parents can also avail of paid paternity leave at any time within the first 26 weeks following the birth or date of placement of the child. Paternity benefit is available for employed and self-employed people who are on from work and covered by contributions. Paternity leave and paternity benefit can also be postponed for up to six months in cases where the child is hospitalised.

A recipient of the one parent family payment can keep their main social welfare payment and receive a half-rate maternity benefit as well. A carer who was in receipt of a carer’s allowance payment and subsequently has an entitlement to maternity benefit is entitled to keep a half-rate carer’s allowance payment along with their maternity benefit. Parents are also entitled to child benefit which is paid from the date of birth of the child.

Where an individual has insufficient social insurance contributions to qualify for maternity benefit, they may be eligible for another social welfare payment provided they meet the relevant contingency conditions. For instance, new mothers who do not qualify for maternity benefit may be eligible for a payment under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme. This scheme is considered a "safety net" within the overall social welfare system for eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. The main purpose of the scheme is to provide immediate and flexible assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.

These measures facilitate parental choice by allowing parents decide what options are best suited to their circumstances.

I hope this information is useful.