Does my wife quality for Maternity Benefit ?

[mgfdublin]

My wife is a registered part-time employee in my business. She works 10 hours a week and I have been paying her PRSI contributions since the start of the year.
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She is expecting a baby.
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Will she be entitled to maternity benefit like any other employee ? She has met the minimum requirement of 39 contributions in the calendar year leading up to the birth.
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Prior to this year she was a full time student and not working.
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I am just wondering if there are any possible hitches in a husband employing his wife who then seeks maternity benefit.
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The Citizens Advice Bureau seem to think she has satisfied the criteria but Social Welfare seem to be stalling and have postponed a decision on her application.
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Thanks for any feedback in advance.

 

[mgfdublin]

Just to clarify, she is applying for the 6 month state maternity benefit, after the 6 months she would either continue to work for me if the business can afford it, or seek a job.
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[Nige]

Is your business done through a company?

If not, then your wife's employment is not insurable employment and you shouldn't have being paying PRSI.