Vol. 423 No. 5
35 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will clarify the reason for introducing the regulation which restricts the eligibility criteria for maternity benefit, and effectively reduces the minimum payment under the scheme by £25 a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Prior to the Social Welfare Act 1992, the Department of Social Welfare operated two maternity schemes. The scheme for women in employment covered women who qualified for leave from work under the Maternity Protection of Employees Acts, 1981 and 1991 and the general maternity scheme catered for women workers who did not so qualify, along with women claiming unemployment benefit or disability benefit who satisfied the relevant contribution conditions.
The Social Welfare Act, 1992 rationalised the maternity schemes, making maternity benefit available for the first time to women in employments not covered by the Maternity Protection of Employees Acts, 1981 and 1991. Arrangements were made at the same time for women on unemployment benefit and disability benefit, who had hitherto availed of the general maternity scheme, to remain on those payments for the period immediately before and after confinement.
In the same context the minimum weekly payment for maternity benefit was reduced from £76 to £60 in order to cater for the fact that part-time workers earning £25 or more per week were becoming eligible for maternity benefit for the first time.
