Bill seeks five days paid leave for those who suffer pregnancy loss

Hannah Kate Costello

Individuals who suffer a pregnancy loss before 23 weeks will receive five days paid leave under a new bill.

Under existing law, maternity leave is available for those who experience a loss from 23 weeks onwards, not before.

The legislation, proposed by Minister for Employment Peter Burke, will introduce the statutory leave and was welcomed by Tánaiste Simon Harris.

He told Newstalk: "There's still far too much silence in our country and in our society in relation to this issue of miscarriage, and it's really important that we bring about a statutory entitlement to pregnancy loss leave."

The leave will be paid by the employer at 70 per cent of the daily rate, capped at €110 a day, in line with statutory sick leave. It will require a medical certification.

Burke said: “Pregnancy loss is a deeply personal and traumatic experience that for too long has gone under-recognised in our workplaces and in our laws."

By introducing statutory leave, Burke said he hopes it will strengthen workers' rights, ensure that all employees are supported and treated with dignity and create a "more inclusive and responsive employment rights system".

The proposed Pregnancy Loss Leave Bill aims to give five days of paid leave per year for individuals who experience a pregnancy loss before 23 weeks.

The Bill seeks to address barriers many individuals face when experiencing pregnancy loss, including financial concerns, workplace culture, emotional challenges, and potential impacts on career progression. It aims to ensure that individuals experiencing a loss have the time and space needed to recover.

The Government claims that by establishing a statutory entitlement, the Bill represents a significant step toward acknowledging a loss that impacts a substantial number of people but has generally been under-recognised.