Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the waiting times for processing maternity and paternity applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43113/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the delays experienced earlier this year with the processing of maternity and paternity claims have been eliminated and that all applicants who submit a fully completed claim on time now receive a decision in advance of commencing their leave. Maternity benefit and paternity benefit claims are processed in order of commencement of leave date. As of Monday 9th October 2017, the Department is processing maternity benefit claims with a commencement date of 24th November 2017 and paternity benefit claims with a commencement date of 1st January 2018 respectively. The average time to process a paper claim is 6 weeks and processing claims by leave commencement date order ensures that those whose maternity or paternity leave is impending or has already started receive priority.

The Department also facilitates online applications for both maternity and paternity benefit and an automated decision is made where the applicant submits all necessary information and where the detail provided can be validated. I would encourage applicants who are planning maternity leave or paternity leave to use this channel, if possible, as it provides the most effective method of applying for both maternity and paternity benefit.