Economy Committee Examines Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill

The Assembly’s Committee for the Economy has begun its examination of the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill.  The important legislation focuses on the statutory entitlements available to a parent/carer following the death of a child.  The Committee will be consulting the public and examining the Bill in detail over the coming months.

The Committee will aim to ensure that this legislation works for both bereaved parents who find themselves in such difficult circumstances, and for employers who administer the statutory entitlements.

Chairperson of the Economy Committee, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, said: “The Committee was saddened to hear that child deaths affect approximately 450 working parents here each year.  Until now, there have been no statutory leave or pay entitlements available to a parent/carer following the death of a child. 

“The Committee wants to ensure that workers are given adequate time to grieve for the loss of a child and that they are supported by their employer during what must be the most difficult time in their lives.  

“It is important that we hear from people impacted by this Bill, including parents, carers and employers.  We want to know how you would define a bereaved parent/carer, and what you think the rules should be on how and when leave should be taken.  Our consultation will run until 16 August, when we will review the findings, discuss our report and make recommendations to the Assembly.”

You can respond to the Committee’s consultation on the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill.

ENDS

Committee Membership:

Chairperson: Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA

Deputy Chairperson: Sinead McLaughlin MLA

Members: Keith Buchanan MLA

Stewart Dickson MLA

Gary Middleton MLA

Mike Nesbitt MLA

John O’Dowd MLA

Claire Sugden MLA

Peter Weir MLA

Media enquiries to:

Caroline Moore
Deputy Communications Officer
Northern Ireland Assembly
Phone: 028 9052 1606
Email: caroline.moore@niassembly.gov.uk