Extension to Maternity Benefits (Covid)

Snotty

I can see a lots of mention of the 3 week extension to Maternity Benefits for children born during the pandemic, however I cannot find any specifics, for example is it everyone on MB at the moment or only for children born after X date.
Thanks in advance

splinter65

Snotty wrote: »

I can see a lots of mention of the 3 week extension to Maternity Benefits for children born during the pandemic, however I cannot find any specifics, for example is it everyone on MB at the moment or only for children born after X date.
Thanks in advance

There’s a suggestion that Parents Leave will be extended from 2 weeks to 5 weeks in the next budget but there are no changes that I know of to maternity benefit length which is 26 weeks.

Snotty

splinter65 wrote: »

There’s a suggestion that Parents Leave will be extended from 2 weeks to 5 weeks in the next budget but there are no changes that I know of to maternity benefit length which is 26 weeks.

Ah OK, think there was a different proposal for maternity, from the reports at the time it seemed definite, but assume its not implemented:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/coronavirus-parents-of-new-babies-to-get-three-extra-weeks-leave-1.4303618

splinter65

Snotty wrote: »

Ah OK, think there was a different proposal for maternity, from the reports at the time it seemed definite, but assume its not implemented:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/coronavirus-parents-of-new-babies-to-get-three-extra-weeks-leave-1.4303618

No there are no immediate plans to increase the length of maternity benefit.
That article refers to “parents leave” being possibly (almost certainly) increased from 2 to 5 weeks in the next budget.
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/parents_leave.html