merrion street

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today welcomed the decision to align bereavement leave for staff in the education sector with those in other areas of the public sector.

This agreement will see existing leave for staff extended to 20 days in relation to the death of a spouse/partner or child.

Minister Harris said: “My Department has been successful this week in securing enhanced bereavement leave entitlements for staff in the further and higher education sectors, after a longstanding campaign to ensure staff in our sector were aligned with other groups of workers in the public sector.

“The increased bereavement leave will ensure that a staff member who has suffered the loss of a spouse, partner or child, will be afforded twenty days paid leave and while this goes no way to offset the emotional trauma of such a terrible event, the additional paid leave is a support to staff in these distressing times.

“My Department officials have secured these enhanced entitlements after long negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform so as to ensure the staff in the further and higher education sector were supported during these difficult periods.

“I would also like to thank the staff representatives for their patience and consideration and my Department officials for ensuring this important policy is adopted.”

 ENDS