Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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858. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has undertaken a review of existing employment protections for individuals who experience pregnancy loss; and if legislative or policy measures are being considered to strengthen workplace supports. [61375/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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859. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken to promote awareness among employers and HR professionals of best practice in supporting employees who experience pregnancy loss or stillbirth. [61376/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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860. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has reviewed examples of statutory pregnancy loss leave in other EU member states; and if similar provisions are being considered in Ireland to promote workplace equality. [61377/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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861. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has assessed whether the absence of statutory paid leave following pregnancy loss may constitute indirect gender discrimination under existing equality legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61380/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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884. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when her Department officials will complete their examination of the study, 'PLACES | Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces: Informing Policymakers on Support Mechanisms'; the timeline for when a decision will be made on whether policy interventions are required at a national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61572/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 858 to 861, inclusive, and 884 together.

I recognise the enormous, personal impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a tragic loss.

This Department is committed to ensuring that workplaces consider the reality of employees’ lives and recognise the enormous impact that women go through that experience pregnancy loss. The need for more awareness within the workplace of the impact of pregnancy loss is acknowledged by Government as necessary to promote changes in the culture, policies and practices in workplaces in order to lead to improvements in physical and mental health and well-being and work-life balance.

Officials are examining the findings of a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss with an aim to informing potential supports. The study, ‘PLACES | Pregnancy Loss (under 24 weeks) in Workplaces: Informing Policymakers on Support Mechanisms’, examines whether policy interventions are required at a national level to support these bereaved parents in the workplace. The study focuses on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, as people who have a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks’ gestation can avail of full maternity leave and paternity leave entitlements.

The next National Strategy for Women and Girls, which is due to be launched in November, will also inform this work. Officials in this Department are continuing to engage with officials in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment with regard to the issues raised in the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health) Bill 2021.