All female employees in Ireland, no matter how long they have been working, are entitled to take maternity leave for a basic period of 26 weeks. At least two weeks have to be taken before the end of the week of your baby's expected birth and at least four weeks taken after. You can also avail of an additional 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave. If a mother dies within 40 weeks of the birth, the father is entitled to maternity leave from work.
During the basic period of maternity leave you may be entitled to Maternity Benefit providing you satisfy the social insurance contribution conditions.
All expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in the State are entitled to free maternity care, covering antenatal (prenatal) visits, labour and delivery and postnatal care. For further information see choices in antenatal care