More Statutory Parental Leave Needed For Premature Babies

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has backed calls for extra statutory parental leave for parents of prematurely-born babies.

It follows calls from Sarah Kirker from Larne, who gave birth in April to a baby boy who was the most premature baby in the UK at the time. Despite her son having an underdeveloped nervous and immune system, Mrs Kirker is due back to work in December as her maternity leave comes to an end.

Ms Armstrong forwarded an Assembly motion earlier this year, calling for extended statutory parental leave for babies born well before their due date, but it will not be carried forward until the restoration of power sharing at Stormont.

"Many parents end up in the situation where their baby is born premature and they spend their days travelling to and from hospital caring for their child. It is vital they are given the support they need without having to worry about a looming return to work," the MLA for Strangford said.

"If my Assembly motion is successful, it will mean parents of premature babies will have statutory paternal leave increased for the same amount of time a baby is premature, allowing them to then have the same amount of time at home having a full experience with their babies as all other parents.

"The Republic of Ireland has extended maternity leave for such parents, while London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he would allow extra paid leave for City Hall staff. It is frustrating parents here in the same circumstances cannot avail of the same benefits. It is important we get the Assembly restored as soon as possible so we can take them out of that limbo."



(JG)