You are entitled to 26 weeks of maternity leave, and an additional 16 weeks unpaid maternity leave. You must take two weeks of leave prior to the week of the due date and four weeks after. If you have enough PRSI payments you may be entitled to Maternity Benefit. Some employers will continue to pay an employee their usual salary when on maternity leave, minus the Maternity Benefit, but this all depends on your company and the terms of your contract. You must give your employer four weeks written notice of the date you intend to commence maternity leave and the date you intend to return. If you decide not to return to work, your normal notice requirements for resigning apply. Days taken while on maternity leave count towards accruing annual holidays and are considered the same as if you were at work. You are also entitled to public holidays while on leave.