To ask the Minister for the Economy when the extension to neonatal leave and pay for parents of premature babies will be introduced Northern Ireland.

Unfortunately, whilst I am sympathetic about this issue, there is not sufficient time remaining to legislate for this in the current mandate.

The priority for this mandate has been to introduce measures to protect jobs and to aid economic recovery following the devastating effects of Covid-19.

My other priority is on progressing the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Bill. This will be an important new employment right for parents who sadly suffer the loss of a child or still birth.

The existing employment law framework in Northern Ireland supports eligible employees to balance work with family life and other personal commitments and responsibilities. These include: a right to request flexible working; family-related leave and pay entitlements and protections from detriment for parents who take or seek to take family-related time off work.

I am aware that the UK Government has announced its intention to bring forward a future Employment Bill and that this Bill will introduce a range of enhanced workers’ rights. Whilst there is not time within this mandate to introduce any new primary employment legislation in Northern Ireland, these issues may form part of a wider consideration of employment rights issues in the next mandate. That will be for the Economy Minister at that time to decide upon and prioritise.