Ireland considers paid leave for early miscarriage

Ireland's Cabinet is poised to consider a groundbreaking proposal that would grant paid leave for the first time to women who suffer an early miscarriage. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will seek approval for five days of paid leave for women experiencing pregnancy loss before 23 weeks.

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I've had multiple miscarriages myself, so I know that heartbreak first hand. And I’m far from alone.

The proposed sick leave is also expected to be offered to women who have an abortion, with employers footing the cost. Minister Burke will present the bill to his colleagues, highlighting that pregnancy loss affects a significant portion of society, with one in four pregnancies ending in miscarriage. He will emphasize that women often lack the opportunity to take time off for grieving and recovery, a stark contrast to the existing entitlement to full maternity leave in cases of stillbirth after 23 weeks.

This initiative aligns with recent legislative changes in Northern Ireland and Malta. The potential annual cost is estimated to be around €10 million. Both the Labour Party and Sinn Féin have previously championed the cause for pregnancy loss leave. Labour introduced a bill five years ago proposing up to 20 days of paid leave for miscarriage recovery and ten days for IVF treatment. Sinn Féin's proposal, spearheaded by Senator Nicole Ryan, who shared her personal experience with pregnancy loss, was presented last year.

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Thousands of women and families across Ireland go through it every year, often while trying to hold it together at work and at home like nothing’s happened. I know the difference miscarriage leave would’ve made for me.

Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who has experienced multiple miscarriages herself, spoke last week about the profound impact such leave would have had on her. "Thousands of women and families across Ireland go through it every year, often while trying to hold it together at work and at home like nothing’s happened," she stated. "Miscarriage is still surrounded by silence. Women often grieve alone because of discomfort around it, or people don’t know what to say, or because there just aren’t the words for this kind of loss," she added, underscoring the need for workplace acknowledgment and support.

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Miscarriage is still surrounded by silence. Women often grieve alone because of discomfort around it, or people don’t know what to say, or because there just aren’t the words for this kind of loss.