Re: Pay while on Maternity leave etc.
Employers have no obligation to pay maternity pay, unless it is a part of the employment contract. Most private sector employers don't pay it. The public sector does pay it as far as I am aware.
An employee is entitled to take 6 months maternity leave. Maternity benefit will be paid by the state for the first 4 months. No benefit will be paid for the last two months.
Although an employer is not obliged to pay any salary during maternity leave, all other entitlements accrue. For example, even if you take 6 months unpaid maternity leave and 3 months parental leave, you will still be entitled to your full paid annual leave.
Brendan