Maternity, Paternity and Parental Benefit

Updated for 2026 DSP rates.

Maternity Benefit

Maternity Benefit is a contributory weekly payment for employed and self-employed women who are on maternity leave from work.

Paternity Benefit

Paternity Benefit is a contributory weekly payment for employed and self-employed fathers or partners taking paternity leave.

Parental Benefit

Parental Benefit is a contributory weekly payment for parents taking Parental Leave (formerly known as Parent's Leave) to spend time with their child in the first 2 years of life (or within 2 years of adoption).

How to Claim

Apply online at MyWelfare.ie. You should claim at least 6 weeks before your intended leave start date. You will need:

• Your PPS number and your employer's details
• Your child's PPS number and birth certificate (for Maternity/Paternity)
• Your expected date of birth (for Maternity Benefit)
• Your intended leave dates

Important Notes

• All three benefits are taxable — Revenue will deduct tax where applicable
• You must be on statutory leave from your employment to claim — you cannot work while receiving these payments
• Self-employed people qualify if they have enough Class S PRSI contributions
• Adoptive parents can claim Adoptive Benefit — 24 weeks at €299.00 per week

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2026 rates and how they are calculated

All four parental benefits rose by €10 in Budget 2026 to €299 per week: Maternity Benefit (26 weeks), Paternity Benefit (2 weeks), Adoptive Benefit (26 weeks) and Parent's Benefit (9 weeks per parent). You receive the lower of €299 per week or 80% of your average weekly earnings, so higher earners get less than the headline rate. The PRSI condition is the same for all four: at least 39 weeks of PRSI paid in the 12 months before your leave starts (paid — not credited — in most cases). Self-employed people qualify through Class S contributions. The payments are taxable, and your employer pays you only if your contract provides for paid leave on top of the State benefit.

Maternity Benefit in detail

Maternity Benefit is paid for 26 weeks, normally starting 2 weeks before the expected week of birth. You must take at least 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after the birth (6 weeks for factory workers). Claim online at mywelfare.ie at least 6 weeks before your leave starts; you need your employer's details, your expected due date and your PPS number. Your employer completes an MB2 form (or you submit it with your payslips). If you change jobs or are between jobs, different PRSI rules apply — check with the DSP before assuming you do not qualify. Note that legislation to extend maternity leave and benefit to 42 weeks is being phased in — check gov.ie/welfare for the commencement date if you are planning ahead.

Paternity, Adoptive and Parent's Benefit

Paternity Benefit covers 2 weeks of paternity leave, which can be taken any time in the first 26 weeks after birth or adoption. Adoptive Benefit covers 26 weeks for adoptive parents (24 weeks for one parent, with the other able to take 2 weeks). Parent's Benefit covers 9 weeks per parent and can be taken in blocks until the child's second birthday (or within 2 years of adoption) — a flexible option for sharing care. You must be on statutory leave from work to claim any of these, and you cannot work while receiving the payment. Since September 2024, parents can choose to take Parent's Leave as blocks of days or weeks rather than full weeks, which suits phased returns to work.

Planning your finances around leave

A €299-per-week benefit is usually well below your working wage, so plan ahead: check your employer's maternity/paternity pay policy (many public-sector and large private employers top up the State payment), use your annual leave around your maternity leave, and remember the benefit is taxable, so your net payment will be less than €299. If your income drops during leave, check your entitlement to Working Family Payment, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (€160/€285 in 2026), and whether you still qualify for the €1,000 rent tax credit if you rent.

Action steps

• Check your PRSI record on mywelfare.ie before you go on leave — 39 paid weeks in the 12 months before leave is the key test.
• Apply at least 6 weeks before your leave starts to avoid payment delays.
• Tell your employer in writing about your leave dates — statutory leave is a protected right.
• If you are self-employed, confirm your Class S contributions are up to date (PRSI at 4.2% in 2026).
• Keep your sick certs and payslips — the DSP may request them to calculate your average earnings.