The Government has brought forward the date for implementing the changes to Maternity and Adoptive Benefit from April to March 8th.

The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs estimates that 26,000 women will benefit from the extra four weeks' payment over the coming year.

The minimum rates of payment for the benefit will also be increased from £90.70 to £98.70 a week, while the maximum weekly rates will be increased from £172.80 to £183 with effect from April 2nd.

The period of additional unpaid maternity leave will be increased by four weeks to eight weeks, with all employment rights, other than pension rights, being preserved during this period.

Effectively the changes give women the choice of taking up to 26 weeks' leave at the birth of their child or 22 weeks in the case of adoption if they take their leave on or after March 8th.