To ask the Minister for the Economy whether he will include paid carer's leave in the proposed employment bill.

Question 7 - AQO 646/22-27

I intend to bring forward an Employment Rights Bill within the current mandate to ensure our employment law framework operates effectively for employees and businesses.

I am aware there have been calls for the leave to be a paid right which go beyond the provisions in Britain, the South of Ireland and the EU.

The cost of providing paid carer’s leave would be considerable and would have to be fully funded by the Executive. In addition to the costs of providing paid carer’s leave there are other possible implications such as the availability of funding for any HMRC system changes that would be required.

These changes would require considerable set up costs and the ongoing annual costs would be substantial.

Carer’s leave is one of the issues within an Employment Rights Bill that I intend to consult upon and any policy proposals for new legislation will be informed by the outcome of the consultation process.

These in turn will also need the necessary approvals from the Executive and the Assembly.