Following the approval of the Pregnancy Loss Leave Bill today, 5 days paid leave will now be available to employees who have an early miscarriage before 23 weeks, with current legislation only providing for leave in the case of a still birth after 23 weeks gestation.

Entitlement to the leave will require medical certification and will be paid by employers at 70% of their daily rate of pay, capped at €110 per day, which is the same as how Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid.

There will be no service requirement to avail of leave, but the entitlement to payment will only arise after 13 weeks service has been completed.

The entitlement to pregnancy loss leave arises separately to maternity and statutory sick pay entitlements.