asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider granting maternity benefit to a County Dublin claimant (name supplied).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Maternity Benefit.
39.
One of the contribution conditions for maternity benefit is that not less than 26 contributions must have been paid or credited in respect of the claimant in the contribution year governing the claim. In the case in question the claimant has 25 employment contributions only in the relevant contribution year. Maternity benefit is not therefore payable as the contribution condition mentioned is not satisfied.
In a case of this kind is there no provision at all for a graded payment? In the case where only one stamp is short is any graded payment given?
Deputy Cosgrave raised this matter last week and I wrote him a full explanation today.
If in fact somebody after 25 weeks loses his employment and gets a week's cessation pay and a stamp, does that count for this benefit?
It is "yes" or "no", it is either correct or it is not.
It would depend on particular circumstances.
It does not permit of a "yes" or "no" answer.
That is the way the Department have been dealing with it; they have not paid and they should pay.