2574. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has undertaken a review of the adequacy of maternity leave supports available to self-employed female farmers; whether additional measures are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56764/26]

The Minister for Social Protection is responsible for policy and operational delivery of social protection, including maternity benefit in Ireland. Maternity Benefit is a payment for all eligible employed and self-employed women who are on maternity leave from work and meet the relevant social insurance (PRSI) contribution criteria. The payment structure is uniform across the country, is payable to any woman who meets the standard insurance criteria and does not vary by employment sector or industry.

My Department has engaged with the Department of Social Protection on issues relating to women in agriculture, focusing on operational barriers, information sharing and awareness raising, rather than seeking to create sector-specific benefits.

In this regard, my Department, in association with the Department of Social Protection, delivered a session on Social Protection benefits and supports as part of its 2025 Winter Webinar series last December. The session included information on PRSI contribution criteria and provided an overview of the associated benefits available. The presentations from this session are available on my Department's website, on the "Women in Agriculture" page.

Enquires regarding the adequacy of existing supports or consideration of additional measures should be directed to the Minister for Social Protection.