Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department continues to make good progress on processing the backlog of maternity claims and I can report that all claims relating to people who have already commenced their maternity leave have now been processed. The Department is currently processing claims where the expectant mother is commencing her maternity leave in the current week and the waiting time for these customers has been eliminated.

Claims are processed by reference to the ‘commencement of maternity leave date’ as this ensures that as many new mothers as possible have their claim awarded by the time they take their maternity leave. Once a decision is made and the claim has been awarded, and where the leave has already commenced, payment issues on the following Monday and this payment will also include any arrears due to the customer at that point.

I want to again take the opportunity to highlight that the Department also facilitates online applications for maternity benefit and an automated decision is made where the customer submits all necessary information and where the detail provided can be validated. I would ask the Deputy to encourage women who are planning maternity leave to use this channel, if possible, as it provides the most effective method of applying for maternity benefit.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.