Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte has said that she plans to introduce a Parental Bereavement Leave Bill to the Dáil in the coming weeks.
The Fianna Fáil TD said bereaved parents must be better supported by the State.
The bill will give a statutory entitlement to leave and pay for parents who have lost a child, similar to a bill which was recently introduced in the UK.
The Galway East TD said: “This aim of this Bill is to address this unfair anomaly and to give parents a legal entitlement to leave and pay for a specific period of time.
“Losing a child is the most appalling tragedy that any parent can face and this bill will ensure that those who find themselves in such circumstances do not have to rely on the compassion of their employers.
“I look forward to introducing this Bill in the Dáil in the coming weeks.
“This bill can and should be passed by the Oireachtas in a very timely manner. I hope that the Government does not block this progressive piece of legislation as it is desperately needed.
