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with such an application. Availing of such breaks will not result in any reduction of pay for the
employee.

3.9.13 Notification Requirements
Before your maternity leave begins
As soon as reasonably practicable but not later than 4 weeks before the start of your Minimum
maternity leave, you must notify a Manager in writing of the date on which you will commence your
maternity leave together with a medical certificate confirming the expected week of confinement.
Notification by you for an Extension of maternity leave must be given as soon as practicable.

Notification by you for Additional maternity leave shall be given not later than 4 weeks prior to what
would have been your expected date of return if you had not taken additional maternity leave

Returning from maternity leave
Please note that you must provide at least four weeks written notice of your intention to return to
work after maternity leave. Please note that if you do not provide the proper notice of return to work
this may affect your right to return to work. The notice should specify the date of your return.

Further extending maternity leave on medical grounds
If you are too ill to return to work at the end of your maternity leave period, the normal Company
rules on sick leave will apply.

3.9.14 Maternity Benefit (MB)
NOTE** It is a matter for the employee to deal with the Department of Employment
Affairs and Social Protection, but for the assistance of the employee we provide the information
below.

To qualify for MB (paid by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection) you must
have:
• at least 39 weeks PRSI paid in the 12-month period before the first day of your maternity
leave; or
• at least 39 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and at least 39 weeks PRSI paid or
credited in the relevant tax year (the second last complete tax year before the calendar
year in which your maternity leave starts); or
• 26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year and 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year prior
to the relevant tax year.
• Only PRSI at classes A, E and H count.

If you are self-employed you must have:

• 52 weeks PRSI contributions paid at Class S in the relevant tax year before the year in
which your claim is made; or
• 52 weeks PRSI contributions paid at Class S in the tax year prior to the relevant tax year
before the year in which your claim is made; or
• 52 weeks PRSI contributions paid at Class S in the tax year later than the relevant tax year
(applicable from April 2002)

If you are now self-employed but you were in insurable employment before you became self-
employed, the PRSI contributions (Class A, E and H) paid by you in that employment may help you
qualify for Maternity Benefit if you do not satisfy the self-employment conditions as stated above

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