Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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906. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provisions that are in place for women who are rejected for maternity benefit due to insufficient PRSI contributions, when they have been required to travel to the US for specialist medical training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17071/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Maternity Benefit is a statutory payment made for 26 weeks to employed and self-employed women who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.  The fundamental qualification criteria for Maternity Benefit are that a woman must be in insurable employment and entitled to statutory maternity leave or be in insurable self-employment.  The applicant must also satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions.

There are a number of situations in which people might travel abroad for work or training and whether or not this has any impact on a person's PRSI record will depend on the particular circumstances.  If an employer is mandating an employee to travel abroad for training, and retains that person as an employee in insurable employment, there would be no break in the person's PRSI record as a result of them engaging in compulsory training.

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 conditions.  For example, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is available to provide immediate and flexible means-tested assistance for those in need who do not qualify for payment under other welfare schemes.

I trust this clarifies the position for the deputy.