How is my Maternity Benefit Calculated?

If you are employed, your weekly rate of Maternity Benefit is calculated by dividing your gross income in the relevant tax year by the number of weeks you actually worked in that year. Eighty percent (80%) of this amount is payable weekly, subject to a minimum payment and a maximum payment. (The Relevant Tax Year is the second last complete income tax year before the year in which your maternity leave starts.

Rates of payment from January 2010:

Maternity Benefit     Weekly rate

Maximum payment       €270
Minimum payment        €225.80