Rural Ireland Thinks: Over 80% support workplace leave for women who have had abortions

94% of respondents supported workplace leave following pregnancy loss.

More than four in five respondents to the Irish Examiner/ Ipsos B&A Rural Ireland Thinks survey support extending new workplace leave entitlements for early pregnancy loss to women who have had abortions.

The survey of adults living in rural communities across Ireland examined attitudes to recently introduced workplace supports for women who experience an early pregnancy loss, defined as the loss of a pregnancy before 23 weeks.

The legislation covers women who have experienced a miscarriage as well as those who have had a termination.

Overall, 81% of respondents supported the inclusion of abortion in the scheme, with 68% strongly agreeing and 13% somewhat agreeing.

Support was strongest among younger respondents, with 82% of those aged 24-34 backing the measure, compared with 54% of those aged 65 and over.

While views on abortion varied across age groups, most respondents supported access to abortion services in Ireland.

Overall, 27% of rural adults opposed abortion, with opposition rising to 44% among those aged over 65.

There was even stronger backing for workplace leave following early pregnancy loss more generally, with 94% of respondents supporting the measure. Of those, 83% strongly supported it and 11% somewhat supported it.

Corrinne Hasson, executive director of the National Women's Council, welcomed the support for all types of loss.

“It is heartening to see such high levels of support for statutory leave following pregnancy loss or termination,” she said.

“For too long, women and girls in these situations carried their stories and their pain in silence. That day is hopefully gone.” 

Ms Hasson said she hoped women would feel supported by the survey findings in addition to knowing their workplace could now support them.

“It is significant to see such strong support for leave after a termination and for abortion access in general, suggesting that, like with repeal, Irish people are far more progressive about abortion than politicians believe,” she said.

Plans for drafting the Leave for Pregnancy Loss Bill were approved by the Government in July.

Enterprise and employment minister Peter Burke said this brought to an end “a cliff edge in law” separating supports for late pregnancy loss from other women.

The legislation will, for the first time, provide a statutory entitlement to leave following pregnancy loss before 23 weeks' gestation.

Women who experience a loss after 23 weeks are already entitled to such leave.

Under the proposals, women would be entitled to five days' paid leave each year, subject to the provision of a medical certificate.

The leave entitlement would apply from the first day of employment, although eligibility for payment would require 13 weeks' service.

A cross-party Oireachtas group has been examining a range of issues relating to pregnancy and infant loss.

The group, chaired by Senator Nicole Ryan, said work was continuing on plans to introduce certificates of loss for women who experience an early pregnancy loss.

• The Rural Ireland Thinks Survey was funded by the News Reporting Scheme