If you satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions you will be paid maternity benefit directly from the Dept of Social Protection.  

To claim maternity benefit, you must have the claim form for benefit completed correctly and returned to the above Dept at least 6 weeks before maternity leave starts.

If you are an EU citizen, you can continue to receive Maternity Benefit for any period of your maternity leave spent in another EU country or for any period of up to six weeks spent in a country outside the EU.

If you are not an EU citizen you can be paid Maternity Benefit for any period of your maternity leave spent in the Republic of Ireland.  You can continue to receive Maternity Benefit for any period of up to six weeks of your maternity leave spent in a country outside of the Republic of Ireland (EU and Non-EU).  If you exceed this period Maternity Benefit will cease until such time as you return to the Republic of Ireland.