materity benefit & fis?

my wife is expecting our 3rd child in june,i was just wondering what benefits we are entitled to?i currently claim JA,my wife claims FIS and works parttime. i believe she cannot claim FIS when on materity.what entitlements can we claim if i havent found work?

She may be eligible for Maternity Benefit.

You can get more information on it here: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BirthChildrenAndFamilies/MaternityBenefit/Pages/mb.aspx

Your wife can continue to claim FIS based on this paragraph from the Operational Guidelines on FIS:

Under the Maternity Protection Act 1994, a woman who qualifies for Maternity Benefit is entitled to claim FIS. Employees who qualify for Health & Safety leave or Adoptive Benefit are also entitled to claim FIS.

FIS can only be paid for 6 weeks if a person is sick from work and claiming illness benefit, but there doesn't appear to be a similar restriction for Maternity Benefit.

There is no restriction of FIS for those on Maternity Benefit.