Maternity leave and benefit

[Optimistic]

Hi all,
We have tried to find it online on the Social Welfare website, but can't find the answers we are looking for.
My wife is working for a US company and will probably be made redundant two months before our due date. She is not PAYE but working as a self employed individual and makes her tax returns personally.
For our first child she was entitled to maternity leave, but now due to being made redundant, we are trying to find out what our entitlements are for when after our baby is born, how much and for how long? For the first pregnancy she took the full six months.
Thanks for your comments in advance.

 

[ClubMan]

Any use? These links summarise the entitlements/qualification criteria for maternity leave and benefit:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/e...tions/leave_and_holidays/maternity_leave.html

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/e..._families_and_children/maternity_benefit.html

 

[Ildánach]

Is she paying PRSI in Ireland?

She needs to apply for her Maternity Leave prior to the termination of her employment/redundancy. Once she applies for Maternity Leave, she cannot be made redundant until she returns from it.

You can apply for Maternity Leave up to 16 weeks prior to the due date.

The links above explain the rates etc. for Maternity Benefit.

 

[Mrs Vimes]

You can apply for Maternity Leave up to 16 weeks prior to the due date.

Just to clarify, you can begin Mat Leave up to 16 weeks before due date - you must apply for it a number of weeks before that.

 

[Optimistic]

thanks for all the replies. this is helping lots and giving us more insight to what the process is. My wife is paying PRSI in Ireland and has been with the past 7/8 years.

Thanks to all who have replied.