Written answers

Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Maternity Leave

Photo of Kathleen FunchionKathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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912. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost to extend maternity leave by 52 weeks. [31655/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Maternity benefit is a payment made for 26 weeks to employees and those in self-employment who are on maternity leave and who satisfy certain pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

A decision to extend the period of maternity leave for employees would have to be implemented by my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who has policy and legal responsibility for this area. An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

In 2021 it is estimated that my Department will spend in excess of €260 million on maternity benefit in respect of an average of 20,100 recipients per week. The estimated cost to extend maternity benefit by 52 weeks is approximately €514m.

This estimate is based on a full year basis and on the estimated number of recipients in 2021. It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients.

This estimate does not reflect any additional costs which may be incurred by employers who provide substitution or salary top-ups which would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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