Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
635. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on the case of a person (details supplied) whose application for maternity benefit was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1310/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for maternity benefit from the person concerned was refused on the grounds that she was not in insurable employment at the time of her application. In order to qualify for maternity benefit, in addition to having met the PRSI contributions for the tax year relevant to the claim, the person concerned must also be in insurable employment that is covered by the Maternity Protection Act, 1994. The last day of insurable employment must be within 16 weeks of the end of the week the baby is due.
As the person concerned was last in employment on 18 November 2015, confirmed by her P45, and her baby was due on 14 April 2016 she was not in insurable employment within the 16 weeks of the end of the week in which her baby was due, her maternity leave could not be certified. She was notified of the decision to refuse maternity benefit on 12 May 2016.
She appealed the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in June 2016, who carried out a full and independent review of the decision. The appeal was disallowed and she was informed of this decision by letter on 15 November 2016.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
