On 14 July 2026, the Cabinet approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Pregnancy Loss Leave Bill 2026. The proposed legislation would introduce, for the first time in Irish law, a statutory entitlement to five days’ paid leave per year for an employee who experiences pregnancy loss before 23 weeks’ gestation. Employees who experience a stillbirth from 23 weeks’ gestation are already entitled to maternity leave under existing legislation.