Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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203. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider examining bereavement leave following a miscarriage in a wider context as part of the work his Department is currently undertaking to include bereavement leave for a parent who loses a child between zero and 18 years of age and in the case of a stillbirth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5408/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I recognise the enormous impact that the loss of a child has on parents, and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a loss.

As the Deputy may be aware, work to examine the needs of bereaved parents coping with pregnancy loss is being advanced at present. My Department is currently in the process of commissioning a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss. The study will examine whether policy interventions are required at a national level better to support bereaved parents in the workplace following pregnancy loss.

Recommendations arising out of this study will help to inform Government policy on this matter, including the development of legislation if required.

Officials are also considering the question of the provision of statutory bereavement leave following the loss of a child up to the age of 18. However, this work is still at an early stage. I would note that, in the case of a stillbirth, a parent is currently entitled to their full maternity or paternity leave.