Vol. 573 No. 4
300 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average number of PRSI contributions which must be paid to be eligible for maternity benefit; the plans she has to review this or introduce a pro rata payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25692/03]
The standard contribution conditions for qualification for maternity benefit require that a woman must have paid at least 39 PRSI contributions since first starting work and must also have at least 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax year, currently the 2001 income tax year, or in a subsequent complete tax year. A woman may also qualify for maternity benefit if she has paid a total of 39 PRSI contributions in the year immediately before she commences her maternity leave.
In order to overcome particular difficulties that can occur in the case of women who are working a split week, an alternative qualifying condition was introduced. This enables qualification for benefit where the woman has at least 26 PRSI contributions paid in the relevant income tax year and at least 26 PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately prior to the relevant income tax year. In addition to covering employees, the maternity benefit scheme applies to women who are in self-employment. Given the different nature of self-employment and the different arrangements for the payment of tax and PRSI contributions, different qualifying conditions apply. A self-employed woman must have paid at least 52 PRSI contributions in the relevant tax year. Alternatively, a self-employed woman can qualify if she has paid 52 PRSI contributions in the tax year immediately prior to or subsequent to the relevant tax year. The weekly rate of maternity benefit is related to the woman's earnings, subject to a minimum weekly payment of €141.60 and a maximum payment of €232.40. The benefit normally lasts for 18 weeks.
The current contribution conditions require that a woman must have a minimum period of attachment to the workforce – at least nine months – in order to establish entitlement to maternity benefit. In the circumstances, the current contribution requirements are reasonable, given the level and duration of benefit provided. A working group representing the various pillars of social partnership has been established under Sustaining Progress to examine proposals for the development of a fully inclusive social model which would facilitate combining work and family responsibilities. This group is, inter alia, examining the method of calculating the weekly rate of maternity benefit. The outcome of the deliberations of this group will inform future policy developments in this area.
