Government hoping to bring in laws to help women who suffer pregnancy loss in first 23 weeks

The housing minister will also have an update on the Cork Docklands Redevelopment project

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, with the Government arguing that they do not get the time to grieve and recover. File picture: iStock/PA

Women who suffer a pregnancy loss in the first 23 weeks will be entitled to five days of leave under new laws being prepared by the Government.

Enterprise minister Peter Burke is to seek Cabinet approval for new pregnancy loss leave, with the five days to be paid by the woman’s employer.

The Government hopes to have the laws enacted before Christmas.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, with the Government arguing that they do not get the time to grieve and recover.

Currently, there is no provision for women to be granted leave if they suffer a miscarriage before 23 weeks gestation. 

After this period, a woman is entitled to take full maternity leave if they suffer a miscarriage.

It is expected there will be a period of pre-legislative scrutiny in advance of a bill being brought to the Dáil.

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Also at Cabinet, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will seek approval to draft additional heads of bill for inclusion in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence and International Instruments) Bill to create offences for the possession, production or distribution of extreme or violent pornography, and acts of necrophilia.

Meanwhile, housing minister James Browne will this week publish the mid-year 2026 progress report on his new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, which will say that progress has been made in rental sector reforms as well as establishing the Housing Activation Office (HAO).

It will also reveal that initial business planning for the Cork Docklands Redevelopment project has been approved to unlock potential homes for 25,000 people.