A single woman living in Enniskillen and employed in Dundalk for approximately 3 years. She was pregnant and wanted advice on her right to a maternity payment and on family benefits.
Unless your contract provides for it there is no right to maternity pay from your employer in Dundalk. You should however under EU social security rules be entitled to Maternity Benefit
from the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) in Ireland. You can receive this during your 26 weeks maternity leave and it is paid at 80% of gross weekly wage in 2007 subject to a minimum of €207.80 per week and max of €280.00 per week. You can apply for Maternity Benefit 6 weeks before you intend to go on maternity leave.
In relation to entitlement to Child Benefit in Ireland at €160 per month from April 07 you should contact DSFA Letterkenny re making claim.
In relation to entitlement to Family Income Supplement when the child is born payable at weekly rate of 60% of difference between client's net wage and threshold figure of €480
You may also potentially be entitled to Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue subject to the rate of her Family Benefits in Ireland
August 2008
© Northern Ireland Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NIACAB) 2008
