To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any plans he has to develop modelling and an informed assessment of the benefits of the provision of paid carer’s leave.

The Good Jobs consultation covers a wide range of potential employment rights changes, including the introduction of a new Carer’s Leave entitlement. As part of this consultation respondents are asked for their views on whether this entitlement should be a paid or unpaid right. Responses from the consultation will help provide an informed assessment of potential benefits of paid carer’s leave.

There are many variables to be considered in order to determine the true potential cost of paid carer’s leave to the Executive and assess the benefits. Research, including the consideration of relevant publications and the provision of carer’s leave in other jurisdictions, is ongoing. Engagement with key stakeholders, including CarersNI and a cross departmental working group on issues impacting carers, is also ongoing.

In addition, further modelling and refinement of the potentuial cost of a paid entitlement is being undertaken.