Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 7, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “Report on Parental Bereavement Leave and Benefit

10.The Minister shall prepare and lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas on the introduction of Parental Bereavement Leave and Benefit for parents who lose a child under the age of 18 and explore the establishment of a statutory entitlement to two weeks leave and benefit paid at the same rate as Parent’s Benefit and that the report shall be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection within six months of the passing of this Act.”.

Again, I have raised this issue previously with the Minister on a couple of occasions. It is also a measure I had brought forward in Sinn Féin's alternative budget. It should be considered. This has become available in the North of Ireland. Amendments were recently brought forward by my party colleagues in the North to extend this to women who sadly suffer the loss of a baby through miscarriage. I ask that the Minister consider giving this support in a statutory entitlement to a parent at probably the most devastating time in his or her life. We know that the position on this varies a lot between employers. Some give it; some do not. Some parents have to go back to work a short time after a bereavement and really struggle. A mother brought this to my attention. She had lost her son through suicide and really struggled. I ask that the Minister consider bringing in a payment similar to that available in the North of Ireland and that we seek to support parents at these really difficult times.

Lastly, often when we look at the budget and the social protection system we look at the existing system. Where there are gaps, and there is a gap here, we need to act. The introduction of this would be a really welcome move for the Minister to make. I think it would be life-changing and would make a real difference to parents at such difficult times.

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