Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein)
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213. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the first- and full-year cost of providing up to 20 days of reproductive leave, as outlined in the reproductive health-related leave bill. [31208/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 has not been enacted and is currently at Third Stage in Dáil Éireann.

Section 23B(1) of the Bill provides for an entitlement to "leave with pay," meaning the proposed leave would be paid by the employer rather than through a social welfare benefit. The Bill does not propose the creation of a benefit to be paid by my Department.

Under Section 47 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, a woman may qualify for Maternity Benefit in the event of a stillbirth or miscarriage. As defined in the Civil Registration Act 2004, a stillbirth is recognised as a loss occurring from the 24th week of pregnancy or where the baby weighs at least 400 grammes. In such cases, the woman is entitled to 26 weeks of Maternity Leave and Benefit, provided she satisfies the relevant contribution conditions.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.