Mums waiting to get their maternity benefit may have to go without it for a month.

There is a backlog of 2,850 claims waiting to be processed by the The Department of Social Protection. The delay is due to the implementation of a new system and the training of new staff at the Department, it told RTÉ News in a statement. The department said it was "extremely sorry for any worry or concern being caused to customers", and that staff were working overtime, and extra staff had been assigned, to clear the backlog. "The number of claims being processed in advance of the maternity leave date is improving – those experiencing a delay can expect to have their claim processed within a maximum of three to four weeks of commencing their leave," it said. As employers are not obliged to pay women during maternity leave, many women rely on the the €235 a week payment while off work. Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar appeared on RTÉ's 'Morning Ireland' this morning but did not discuss the maternity benefit delay, instead fielding questions on pension reform and when Enda Kenny might step down as Fine Gael leader.