Not returning to work after maternity leave?

My girlfiend and I have been thinking of starting a family. We were wondering what benefits or payments we are eligible to receive if she voluntarily did not return to work after maternity leave? We would like to know where we stand income wise?

Can anybody please advise on this situation as we would have nobody to help look after the child. We would not want to leave the child in a creche.

Thanks.

As far as im aware you would not be not get anthing extra other than Child Benefit payments

Thank you for your quick reply. I do not know much about the payments or how much they are. I have checked the welfare site and can only make out that it is €83 per month early childcare alowance? Is this the only income meaning she cannot claim the jobseekers allowance?

We could not afford to have a child if this is the case or even pay the mortgage we have.

you also get 166euros for one child which is child benefit.
The early child payment may be reduced or even scrapped down the line who knows what the goverment will do next.

Jobseekers payment can only get claimed if you are actually trying to look for work.

There is no other benefits available as far as im aware, do have a look at this website for more info which may help http://www.citizensinformation.ie/

chris20051 said:

you also get 166euros for one child which is child benefit.
The early child payment may be reduced or even scrapped down the line who knows what the goverment will do next.

Click to expand...

....and there's no guarentee that Child Benefit will not be affected either, given the state of the economy. It may end up a means-tested payment.