John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleague for sharing time. I am delighted to get the opportunity to speak on what is a very important topic. In doing so, it is important to pause and reflect on the significant advances that have been implemented in recent years to support families that have been fortunate enough to have children. On top of the 26 weeks paid maternity leave, we now have two weeks paid paternity leave, introduced in 2016, which can be taken at any time in the first six months after the birth, or placement in the case of adoption. We now have five weeks paid parents leave, which was introduced for both parents, and this can be taken in the first two years of the child's life. We now have unpaid parental leave, which has been extended from 22 to 26 weeks since 1 September last year, and it can be taken before the child's 12th birthday, or 16th birthday in the case of a disability. A national childcare scheme was also introduced to provide financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare. This includes a universal subsidy for children aged under three and a means-assessed subsidy for children aged up to 15.

We are here to talk about those who have not been fortunate enough to avail of these provisions due to fertility issues or due to miscarriage or stillbirth. As Senator Ahearn said, debate on this cohort of people has increased considerably in recent weeks since the New Zealand Parliament passed the Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Act 2021, providing an entitlement to mothers and their partners of three days paid leave following a miscarriage or stillbirth at any stage of pregnancy. Prospective parents will also be eligible if the mother of the baby they were hoping to adopt from suffers a miscarriage. This new law, mandating three days of paid bereavement leave, is distinct from sick leave or maternity leave, and is something which I believe, as a Government, we need to take action on in short order.

As many speakers said, this issue often goes unspoken about within families, groups of friends and wider society. That has to change. It is often the case that couples suffer in silence and do not talk about the difficulties they experience in conceiving or throughout pregnancy. In cases where couples suffer miscarriage or stillbirths and subsequently have successful pregnancies, their sons and daughters often never find out about the siblings they could have had until many years later, if at all. As legislators, I believe we have a role in heightening awareness of reproductive health and the onus is on us to ensure we put necessary supports in place to support families at what is an exceptionally difficult time. I know it is the desire of the Minister and of the Government to make the journey experienced by so many that little bit easier.