Debate contribution: Domestic Abuse Safe Leave Regulations
Debate contribution by Dr Caoimhe Archibald on .
- MLA
- Dr Caoimhe Archibald
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Domestic Abuse Safe Leave Regulations
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5774407
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question. As we mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, I acknowledge the devastating impact that miscarriage can have on parents and families. We are now the only region in these islands providing paid bereavement leave for miscarriage. The new regulations have been in place since 6 April. Since then, eligible employees and their partners experiencing a miscarriage before 24 weeks have been entitled to two weeks' statutory parental bereavement leave and pay, and the pay is available from the first day of employment. HMRC has recorded 151 claims under the enhanced arrangements, around three quarters of which relate to miscarriage. It is too early to provide a full evaluation, but the introduction of the entitlement has been successful, in that no operational issues have been identified. It is clear that the scheme has given bereaved parents protected time to grieve when they need it most. I have heard testimonies from some organisations that support those affected by baby loss and pregnancy loss about the significant difference that the scheme is making to those who use their services.
182 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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