When Do Employees Receive Maternity Benefit in Ireland?

Maternity Benefit payments are made for 26 weeks or 156 days (excluding Sundays) and are legal staff entitlements per Ireland’s Maternity Protection Act.

Understanding Maternity Benefits in Ireland is essential for employers to support their staff and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Keep reading for more details about Maternity Benefit payments.

Further Reading

• Discover how Ireland’s My Future Fund scheme can enhance pension coverage for private-sector working mothers.

• Want quicker access to quality healthcare for your team? Offer Private Health Insurance in Ireland.

What Day Is Maternity Benefit Paid to Employees in Ireland?

Maternity Benefit payment starts from the first week it’s claimed, usually the first week or first day of your employee’s maternity leave.

It’s provided over a week for 26 weeks of maternity leave and is made each week in advance, excluding Sundays.

The specific day of payment may depend on when your employees claim the Maternity Benefit.

Can every pregnant employee claim the Maternity Benefit payment?

No.

Eligibility for Maternity Benefit requires your employees to have enough PRSI contributions.

Plus, they must start their maternity leave at least two weeks, and not earlier than 16 weeks before the end of the week their baby is due.

The two-week period of maternity leave should ideally start on the Monday before the due date week. For example, if your employee’s due date is Saturday, 25th January 2025, their leave should begin on Monday, 13th January 2025.

Read more about Maternity Benefit in Ireland to see which employees qualify and how they can apply.

Further Reading

• Is your employee unable to work due to prolonged sickness or serious injury? Find out which Illness Benefit Form they must submit to get the social welfare payment in Ireland.

• Explore the different types of Irish Pension Schemes available to you and your employees and how they are taxed.

3 FAQs About Maternity Benefit Payments

We’ll answer some common questions about the Irish Maternity Benefit payments:

1. What Is the Maternity Benefit Payment Rate in 2025?

The Department of Social Protection pays Maternity Benefits at a standard weekly rate of €289 directly to your employees’ bank accounts.

2. Is Maternity Benefit Paid Weekly or Monthly in Ireland?

Maternity Benefit is a legal staff entitlement paid weekly for 26 weeks and is directly transferred to your employee’s bank account each week in advance.

3. Can Your Employees Claim Maternity Benefit While Still Receiving a Salary from You?

All your employees who are on maternity leave from work are entitled to receive Maternity Benefit payments.

While companies aren’t obligated to pay employees during maternity leave, some employers still do.

If you pay your employees while they are on maternity leave, you can have their Maternity Benefit payment paid directly into your bank account. Your employees must refer to their employment contract to check if this applies.

Support Expectant Mothers on Your Team With Kota

Maternity Benefit is a social welfare payment providing much-needed support for expectant mothers.

But look:

As an Irish employer, you can supplement your employees’ Maternity Benefit by offering additional maternity coverage and health insurance plans.

All you need is Kota.

With Kota, your pregnant employees can choose plans with maternity coverage or even pick add-ons for extra benefits, such as:

• Antenatal classes
• Breastfeeding consultancy
• Postnatal care
• Mental health support, and more.

Join Kota to give your employees healthcare benefits without the hassle!