Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department does not have responsibility for the introduction of statutory leave.

An employee's entitlement to take time off in such circumstances depends on whether any provision exists in the employee’s contract of employment providing for such leave. For the vast majority of workers, conditions of employment, including bereavement leave provisions, are matters for negotiation between employers and employees. In the absence of any such provisions in an employment contract, bereavement leave is normally granted at the discretion of the employer.

The introduction of any statutory leave requires careful consideration of the subsequent impact on employment structures, costs and any potential equality issues which may arise. Accordingly, the policy aspects of leave types reside with my colleagues, the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment in terms of employment rights and with Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in terms of equality issues.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.