Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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309. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of increasing maternity benefit to cover the first 12 months of a child’s life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23601/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks at a rate of €274 per week. In 2024, it is estimated that my Department will spend approximately €280.7 million on Maternity Benefit.

The estimated annual cost of extending Maternity Benefit by an additional 26 weeks to bring the total number of weeks paid leave to 52 weeks is €289 million. This estimate is based on a full year and on the number of recipients in 2024. It is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated number of recipients. In addition, this estimate does not reflect any additional costs which may be incurred by employers, including in the Public Sector, who provide substitution or salary top-ups.

Any decision to further extend the period of Maternity Leave for employees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who has responsibility for the scheme. An extension of this leave would require careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders. Any further extension of Maternity Benefit would have cost implications and could only be considered in a Budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.