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Maternity Benefit Calculator Ireland: Your Pay During Leave (2026)
Maternity Benefit is €299 a week for 26 weeks. See what you'll actually have coming in each week — with or without an employer top-up — and how the unusual tax treatment works in your favour.
| Maternity Benefit DSP, no USC/PRSI | €299 / wk |
| Employer top-up taxed as normal | + €566.54 / wk gross |
| Your normal weekly net comparison | €712.06 / wk |
On €45,000 with a full employer top-up, your income during maternity leave is about €733.59 a week — slightly more than your normal €712.06 (≈€21.53 extra), because the €299 Maternity Benefit is exempt from USC and PRSI. Over 26 weeks the State pays €7,774 of it.
Here's the bit almost nobody tells you before maternity leave: if your employer tops you up to full pay, you'll usually see slightly more in your account each week than usual. It sounds wrong, but it's real — the €299 the State pays escapes USC and PRSI entirely, so that slice of your income is taxed more lightly than your salary ever is. The harder scenario is no top-up: €299 a week is the lot, and it's worth knowing that number well in advance so you can plan the months around it. Either way, apply through MyWelfare at least six weeks before you finish up.
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How Maternity Benefit works in 2026
Maternity Benefit is paid by the Department of Social Protection at €299 a week for 26 weeks (€7,774 in total) to employees and self-employed people with enough PRSI contributions. You can take up to 16 more weeks of unpaid leave, which the benefit doesn't cover.
The unusual tax treatment
| Charge | Applies to Maternity Benefit? |
|---|---|
| Income tax | Yes — collected by reducing your credits/rate band, at your marginal rate |
| USC | No — exempt |
| PRSI | No — exempt |
Because of the USC and PRSI exemption, an employee on full top-up typically takes home a little more than a normal week. With no top-up, the benefit is your income — taxed at your marginal rate through reduced credits, though if your annual income falls during leave, unused credits often reduce the real tax at year-end review.
Employer top-ups
There's no legal obligation to top up. Nearly all public-sector employers pay full salary during maternity leave; roughly half of private companies do. Check your contract — and our worked figures above show both scenarios.
Estimates for a standard PAYE worker. The no-top-up figure uses your marginal rate; your actual tax depends on credits and full-year income. Apply via MyWelfare.ie at least 6 weeks before leave (12 weeks if self-employed).
People also ask
How much is Maternity Benefit in 2026?
€299 a week for 26 weeks — €7,774 in total. The 16 optional extra weeks of leave are unpaid.
Is Maternity Benefit taxable?
Income tax yes (via reduced credits), USC and PRSI no. That exemption is why full top-up weeks often pay slightly more than normal weeks.
Will I get full pay on maternity leave?
Only if your employer tops up — most public-sector employers do, about half of private ones. Check your contract.
Who qualifies?
Employees and self-employed with enough PRSI contributions. Apply via MyWelfare.ie at least 6 weeks before leave starts (12 weeks self-employed).
Related Ireland calculators
Sources: Citizens Information — Maternity Benefit, Revenue.ie — taxation of maternity benefits. Estimates for planning only — not tax advice.