Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2026
179. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to legislate for the provision of a guaranteed right for paid bereavement leave for those who have experienced a loss of a family member. [70273/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently no form of statutory bereavement leave in Ireland. Bereavement leave is normally addressed through employment contracts and can be negotiated between employers and employees when entering into contracts of employment. Employers may also grant bereavement leave at their discretion if their employees suffer the bereavement of close family members.
The introduction of any new form of broad-based employment rights or leave entitlements require careful consideration to ensure that the needs of employees are adequately met and to assess impacts for employers. There is currently no commitment in the Programme for Government to introduce bereavement leave for the loss of a family member.
