Maternity Protection (Child Bereavement) (Amendment) Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-11
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Maria Byrne (FG), Agricultural Panel

I thank the Minister very much for coming to address this all-important issue. I compliment Senator Ryan and her colleagues on bringing this Bill forward. The Minister has acknowledged that it is something that needs to be examined. She needs time to make sure that if we were to introduce something like this that it is done properly and that it will be to the benefit of people, especially those who have suffered miscarriages. I realise there is no strategy footing at the moment. I acknowledge Councillor Anna Grainger and Nee Job who are in the Gallery. Nee has her own interest in this whole area. She has written to me highlighting some areas of interest that maybe when the Government is looking at it, it could look at some of the suggestions.
Germany put this on a statutory footing for miscarriages under 23 weeks in June 2025. They provided six weeks of statutory paid leave following a miscarriage. They also introduced staggered maternity protection periods following a miscarriage from the 13th week of pregnancy with two, six or eight weeks of paid protection depending on the gestational age. That was a reform introduced in June 2025. Other European countries have introduced similar as well. As the Minister said, it is a very difficult time for people who are suffering a pregnancy loss or miscarriage. They also need support financially, as well as feeling that they are being cared for.
I understand where the Minister is coming from that she wants to do it properly. The way the Bill as presented currently might not work for women. It could end up costing them or they would not get a paid leave when they are out on leave at the time if they suffered a loss in pregnancy. What the Minister is committed to is looking at this, examining with her officials in the Department how it can progress and coming back with something that would work here in this country, and perhaps put it on a statutory footing. I thank her for the fact that she is prepared to look at it. It is important for people who are out there who have suffered loss. One in five is quite a high figure. A total 1.25% of the female workforce will experience a miscarriage each year. That is quite a high percentage. It is something that the Minister has said she is committed to looking at and seeing how it can be done in a meaningful manner for all. I commend Senator Ryan and her colleagues on this Bill. I look forward to working with the Senator, the Minister and the Department to see how this can be progressed in a proper manner.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:37+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-11