Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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518. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider introducing paid maternity leave for women working on farms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24805/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Employment rights matters including maternity leave provisions come within the remit of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

My Department provides support to women, through the maternity benefit scheme, where they are on maternity leave from their employment and where they satisfy the social insurance contribution and any other scheme specific criteria for eligibility.

Self-employed women, including those engaged in farming, and who are self-employment contributors can qualify for maternity benefit once they satisfy the social insurance contribution and any other scheme specific criteria for eligibility.

Due to the nature of self-employment, the maternity benefit scheme eligibility condition of requiring certification from the woman's employer that she is entitled to maternity leave does not apply in the case of self-employed applicants for the scheme.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.