Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

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 Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection within six months of the passing of this Act.”.

I know the Minister discussed this in the Dáil. The amendment calls for a report to be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, looking at two weeks of paid leave for parents following the loss of a child. As it stands, parents who lose a child are entitled to just three days of statutory leave in a 12-month period, with compassionate leave at the discretion of employers. We propose two weeks of paid leave at the rate of existing maternity, paternity and parents' leave and benefit, which is €245 per week. The benefit will be payable to parents who lose a child under the age of 18 years, including a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy, irrespective of the length of their current employment.

To respond to what the Minister said about amendment No. 2 and why we are calling for a report, we have to try to table an amendments that are in order. If we do not call for a report, it will impose a cost on the State, which is the reason for that. I know the Minister made commitments to Deputy Kerrane on this issue, so I will withdraw the amendment.