Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
171. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has examined the provision of statutory bereavement leave; if so, the estimated the costs associated with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18136/24]
View answerThere is presently no general statutory entitlement in Ireland for workers for bereavement leave. An employee's entitlement to take time off in such circumstances depends on whether any such provisions exist in the employee’s contract of employment. For the majority of workers, conditions of employment, including bereavement leave provisions, are matters for negotiation between employers and employees.
In the absence of any such provisions in an employment contract, bereavement leave is normally granted at the discretion of the employer.
Ireland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation in place to protect employees, which is kept under ongoing review. There are no plans at present within my Department to introduce a statutory entitlement to Bereavement Leave. The introduction of any statutory leave requires careful and specific consideration of the subsequent impact on employment structures, costs and any potential equality issues which may arise.
More generally, it is evident that over the past two years the Government has been highly proactive in enhancing employment rights, offering additional protection, and creating better employment conditions for workers. These measures represent this Government's commitment to a fairer and more transparent workplace.
