Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1141. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will put measures in place in consultation with the Department of Health to ensure that women who are missing days of work through pregnancy loss will not have to take annual leave to cover the days which they are forced to miss. [43395/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPregnancy loss is a tragedy and the difficulties that parents and families experience as a result cannot be over-stated. The Government recognises the need to support parents who find themselves in these tragic circumstances. Work to examine the needs of bereaved parents coping with pregnancy loss is being advanced at present.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy and legislative responsibility for the various types of family leave such as Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave. The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for any associated social welfare benefit payments. The same would be true were a decision taken to introduce a system of leave and benefit in the case of pregnancy loss.
A pregnant employee who has a stillbirth or miscarriage after the 24th week of pregnancy is entitled to 26 weeks of Maternity Leave and Maternity Benefit (subject to PRSI requirements) and a further 16 weeks Maternity Leave (for which no benefit is payable). Similarly, the other parent is entitled to 2 weeks Paternity Leave and Benefit provided they also satisfy PRSI requirements.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is commissioning a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss. The study will examine whether policy interventions are required at a national level to provide better supports to bereaved parents in the workplace following pregnancy loss.
Recommendations arising from this study will help to inform Government policy on this matter, including the development of legislation if required. It is my understanding that initial outcomes from the study will be available by the end of 2022.
In Budget 2020, €60,000 was allocated to the Irish Hospice Foundation, to carry out a research project into funeral poverty in Ireland, together with the wider economic impact of bereavement. This project is expected to be completed this year.
I will continue to work with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to see how the Government can best support parents through their bereavement.
