Page 51 - My Clinic Employee Handbook Draft V.1

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

MB is not taxable. MB is payable whether or not you intend to return to work and is not repayable if you do not
return for any reason.

MB is payable for a maximum of 26 weeks and is only payable if you are absent from work. The standard rate
for MB is €240 per week, however, your personal circumstances or those of a spouse or dependent others may
affect this rate.

MB is payable to you by Direct Payment on a weekly basis into an approved current or deposit savings account.
Approved institutions include but are not limited to:
• AIB Bank
• Bank of Ireland
• Ulster Bank
• EBS dac
• First Active PLC Investment Accounts
• Permanent TSB
• Credit Union

To claim MB you must give a minimum of 6 weeks’ notice by completing Form MB1 (which must also be stamped
and completed by your employer and your Doctor not earlier than 16 weeks before your child is due) and
returning it to:

Maternity Benefit Section,
FREEPOST,
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection,
McCarter's Road,
Buncrana,
Donegal,
Ireland.

Note: It is advisable to complete and post (by registered post) the MB1 form at least 12 weeks before your date
of confinement to ensure you receive payment in a timely manner.

3.9.15 Contractual benefits
When you are absent on minimum maternity leave (i.e. the 26-week period) or extended maternity leave (but
not additional maternity leave or father's leave), providing you have given the required notice as detailed above,
you will be entitled to the following:
• You will continue to accrue holiday entitlement under the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.
Other contractual benefits except the right to remuneration will also be continued.
• When you are absent on additional maternity leave or fathers leave your employment law
entitlements will cease (except as to reckonable service).
• During minimum maternity leave, extended leave, additional maternity leave and father's leave,
you are required to comply with all of the Company's terms and conditions of employment and
remain subject to the Company's rules, policies and procedures during their absence.

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