Can an employer recoup maternity pay (less social welfare deductions) if an employee does not return for 6 months' work after the maternity leave ends?

Employers in Ireland are not obliged to pay an employee’s salary during a period of maternity leave. Where an employer does pay employees during maternity leave, the terms on which company maternity pay is payable (including when an employee becomes eligible for payment, how much is paid, how long it is paid for and the conditions upon which it is paid) should be clearly documented in a maternity policy.

In order to be able to enforce the reimbursement provisions of the maternity policy, should it become necessary, the policy should be incorporated into the employee’s contract of employment. As a matter of best practice, the policy should be brought to the employee's attention prior to her