Maternity benefit on home makers scheme?

Hello all!
Just looking for some advice if anyone can help. My wife and I have a ten month baby. My wife has gone back to work but would like give it up and mind the baby. We are aware that the PRSI contributions will continue for her through the Home-makers scheme but does this entitle her to Maternity Benefit in the future if we were to have another baby. Alternatively would she have to go back to work again to be entitled to this?

THe way maternity benefit works is that they count back 2 years from the start of maternity benefit to see if there were PRSI contributions paid then, i.e, if your wife had another baby in 2010 they would look to 2008 to see how many PRSI contributions she made, if she had the baby in 2011 they would look to see how many PRSI contributions she made in 2009. THink you have to have a total of 39 wks paid contributions to get maternity benefit.
Most questions are answered on the maternity benefit section of dep of family, otherwise give them a call they're very helpful.
Good luck with your decision

You have to be in a job to get maternity benefit. If you're not in a job you won't get it.

Homemakers credits are applicable for pension purposes only. They do not have the same value as credits received while on a SW payment