AQW 38862/22-27

Mr John Stewart
Ulster Unionist Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 22/01/2026
Answered On Date: 03/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any consideration her Department has given to the potential impacts of current parental leave arrangements for multiple birth families on (i) maternal health; (ii) family wellbeing; (iii) gender equality; and (iv) long-term workforce participation.

Answer:

At this time my Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the potential impacts of current parental leave arrangements for multiple birth families.

My Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill will provide enhancements to existing provision for paternity leave and flexible working; and introduce new rights to neo-natal leave and carer’s leave. I consider that collectively, these reforms will help families meet modern life’s demands, support wellbeing, and allow parents and carers to remain in the workforce.

In addition, I draw your attention to existing legislation in the north of Ireland which offers unpaid parental leave of up to 18 weeks leave for every qualifying employee for each child up to their 18th birthday. The right applies to each child. Therefore, if an employee has twins, they are entitled to 36 weeks of parental leave. I trust this is of use to current families of multiples.