Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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1225. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of extending paid maternity leave to 42 weeks or 52 weeks [34598/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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1226. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of extending paid maternity leave to 42 weeks and 52 weeks. [34599/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1225 and 1226 together.

The estimated additional cost of extending the duration of maternity benefit is approximately €10.3 million for each extra week, at the current rate of €235 per week. Maternity benefit is currently paid for 26 weeks.

The table estimates the additional cost of increasing the duration of maternity benefit by 16 weeks to 42 weeks, and by 26 weeks to 52 weeks. These estimates are based on the cost for a full year and assume that any increase in duration is implemented from the beginning of the year.

Estimated annual cost of increasing the duration of maternity benefit based on 2017 rates

It should be noted that this costing is subject to change over the coming months in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2017. It should also be noted that there are additional costs to the Exchequer as these estimates do not include the costs of salary top-ups for public/civil servants.