Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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630. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to amend maternity leave and paternity leave for parents whose child born showing no signs of life or is deceased when delivered before the 24th week of pregnancy or weighs under 500g. [53373/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Pregnancy loss is a heartbreaking experience for parents and my sympathies are with every person who has suffered such a loss.

I can confirm to the Deputy that there is currently no provision for statutory leave where a pregnancy loss occurs prior to 24 weeks. However, my Department has been examining this issue and intends to commission research to examine how best to support working parents who have suffered pregnancy loss. The findings of this research will inform Government policy to develop a practical, workable response to support those parents.