Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to previous requests, to give favourable consideration to introducing paid miscarriage leave in line with Northern Ireland and the UK (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50631/26]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Pregnancy loss is unfortunately something that is experienced by a considerable portion of our society, and Government recognises that it can be an extremely difficult and distressing time. Women often do not have the choice to take time to grieve and recover.

Under current legislation, the Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004 provide for an employee to be entitled to full maternity leave in the case of a stillbirth after 24 weeks gestation.

But there is a clear and growing policy demand for statutory pregnancy loss leave before 23 weeks, as reflected in Government commissioned research (PLACES report) and recent Private Members’ Bills.

Government put forward a 12 month timed amendment to the Organisation of Working Time (Pregnancy Related Leave) Private Members Bill 2025 on 09 July 2025 to allow for sufficient time to develop Government legislative proposals in line with the principles of the Bill.

In January 2026 I met with the Oireachtas Cross-Party Group on Pregnancy loss in to discuss the Government motion on this Private Members Bill.

I have also engaged with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality on this topic and DCDE is supporting my Department with this work.

Officials in my Department have carried out extensive research and engaged with international counterparts including in the UK, Northern Ireland and Malta to learn about forthcoming or recent legislative change in this area.

Policy development is currently at an advanced stage with engagement ongoing with other Government Departments and the Office of the Attorney General. I hope to bring proposals to Government before the summer recess but no Government decision has been made at present.