Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Organisation of Working Time Act (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 is a Private Members' Bill that proposes a period of paid leave following a miscarriage or for the purposes of availing of reproductive healthcare. Final Statements on the Bill were made in the Seanad on 29 November 2023 (Fifth Stage) and the Bill is scheduled to go before the Dáil on 18 January 2024 (Second Stage).

The suite of family leave, including proposals related to pregnancy loss, is under the remit of Minister O’Gorman in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and his Department commissioned a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss.

The study examined whether policy interventions are required at a national level to better 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.

On 28 November 2023, researchers from University College Cork, who carried out the commissioned study, briefed members of the Oireachtas on the findings of the study on behalf of the research team.

The study report makes a series of recommendations regarding support for employees who have experienced a miscarriage. These recommendations are now being considered in the development of Government policy in this area, including any legislative implications.