Apply on time
Most benefits have a deadline, often 30 days after the job ends or after the birth. Applying late can mean losing months of money that you cannot claim back.
2026 rules
Benefits calculator for Ireland
How much you get if you lose your job, have a baby, fall ill or raise children, with the 2026 rules that apply in Ireland.
Quick answerIn Ireland, with a monthly gross salary of 4,500 EUR and 10 years of work: unemployment benefit 450 EUR per week, duration 39 weeks (9 months), maternity or parental pay 299 EUR per week, duration 26 weeks (6 months), sick pay for 30 days 1,354 EUR in total, and child benefit for two children 280 EUR per month.
All calculations run in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or stored.
Estimate with the 2026 rules. The official amount is decided by the institution that pays it.
Popular questions
How much unemployment benefit will I get in Ireland?
With a monthly gross salary of 4,500 EUR and 10 years of work, the benefit is about 450 EUR per week, duration 39 weeks (9 months). With 2 to 5 years of contributions it is 50% of earnings up to 300 EUR a week for 26 weeks. The minimum is 125 EUR a week.
How much is maternity or parental pay in Ireland?
With a monthly gross salary of 4,500 EUR, it is about 299 EUR per week, duration 26 weeks (6 months). Fathers and partners get 2 weeks of Paternity Benefit at 299 EUR a week.
How much sick pay do I get in Ireland?
For 30 days of sick leave you receive about 1,354 EUR in total in total. After that you can claim Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, up to 254 EUR a week, after 6 waiting days.
How much is child benefit in Ireland?
For two children the result is 280 EUR per month. Child Benefit is 140 EUR a month for every child, with no means test.
In Ireland the Department of Social Protection pays jobseeker's benefits, maternity, paternity and parent's benefit, Illness Benefit and Child Benefit. Employers pay statutory sick leave for the first days.
Unemployment benefit in Ireland
- Since March 2025 people who lose their job after at least 2 years of PRSI contributions get Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit: with 5 years or more, 60% of previous weekly earnings up to 450 EUR for 13 weeks, then 55% up to 375 EUR, then 50% up to 300 EUR, for 39 weeks in total.
- With 2 to 5 years of contributions it is 50% of earnings up to 300 EUR a week for 26 weeks. The minimum is 125 EUR a week.
- The older flat Jobseeker's Benefit is up to 254 EUR a week, with extra for a qualified adult and 58 to 78 EUR per child. There are 3 unpaid waiting days.
Maternity and parental leave in Ireland
- Maternity Benefit is 299 EUR a week for 26 weeks in 2026. It is a flat rate, not linked to your salary, and some employers top it up.
- Fathers and partners get 2 weeks of Paternity Benefit at 299 EUR a week.
- Each parent can take 9 weeks of Parent's Benefit at 299 EUR a week within 2 years of the birth.
Sick pay in Ireland
- Employers must pay statutory sick leave for 5 days a year in 2026, at 70% of your normal daily pay up to 110 EUR a day, after 13 weeks of service.
- After that you can claim Illness Benefit from the Department of Social Protection, up to 254 EUR a week, after 6 waiting days.
- Illness Benefit is paid for up to 2 years with 260 contributions, or 1 year with fewer.
Child benefit in Ireland
- Child Benefit is 140 EUR a month for every child, with no means test.
- Twins are paid one and a half times the rate per child, and triplets or more double.
- It is paid until 16, or until 18 if the child is in full-time education or has a disability.
Before you apply: five things people often miss
Quitting is not the same as being dismissed
In most countries you get no unemployment benefit, or get it later, if you resign or agree to leave. Before you sign a termination agreement, check what it means for your benefit.
Your insurance record decides everything
Duration and amount depend on how many months you paid contributions and on what salary. Check that your employer reported you correctly before you apply.
Gross, net and taxes
Some benefits are paid gross and are taxed, others are tax free. The calculator shows the amount the rules describe. The money you see in your account can be lower.
Combine benefits the smart way
Sick leave, maternity leave and unemployment usually cannot be paid for the same days. The order in which you claim them can change how much you receive in total.
Examples by salary
Ten years of work, age 35, first child, 30 days of sick leave, 2026 rules.
| Monthly salary | Unemployment | Maternity or parental | Sick pay, 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,700 EUR | 373.85 EUR per week | 299 EUR per week | 1,240 EUR |
| 4,500 EUR | 450 EUR per week | 299 EUR per week | 1,354 EUR |
| 7,200 EUR | 450 EUR per week | 299 EUR per week | 1,354 EUR |
Frequently asked questions
Do I get unemployment benefit if I quit my job in Ireland?
If you leave your job voluntarily without good reason, you can be disqualified from Jobseeker's Benefit for up to 9 weeks.
Where do I apply in Ireland?
Apply online at MyWelfare.ie or at your local Intreo centre. Maternity Benefit: apply 6 weeks before your leave. Child Benefit is usually set up automatically after the birth registration.
Is this an official decision?
No. MyBenefitKit is an informational calculator. The institution that pays the benefit decides the exact amount from your full insurance record. Use the result to plan and to check the decision you receive.
Sources and disclaimer
This page is informational. The rules and amounts are based on laws and official publications valid in October 2026 and simplified for the calculator. Individual cases, collective agreements and regional rules can change the result.