Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2022
154. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding leave following a miscarriage and for those going through fertility treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3684/22]
View answerAlthough my officials are currently finalising the drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction and associated areas of research which encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in this jurisdiction, it will not include provisions in respect of statutory leave. Responsibility for various forms of family-related leave comes under the remit of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth and that Department has informed my officials that legislative changes in respect of all forms of family leave must be developed in the context of the broader legal situation concerning parentage or pertaining to any other relevant issue. In relation to the issue of leave following a miscarriage, I understand that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth is in the process of commissioning a qualitative research study to examine existing workplace supports available to employees dealing with pregnancy loss and the Department of Social Protection is conducting a review of the legislation relating to the registration of stillbirths. Finally, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is leading the response to the Private Member's Bill referenced, the Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021, but the Government has agreed that the Organisation of Working Time Act is not the appropriate legislation for progressing these types of proposals and a discrete piece of new legislation would be more suitable.
