To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 14548/22-27, to detail any progress made on further modelling and refinement of the cost of implementing an entitlement to paid carer's leave.

The Good Jobs consultation closed to responses on 30 September 2024. Consultation responses are currently being analysed. I have made clear my desire to introduce paid carer’s leave, subject to funding being agreed at an Executive level. The issue of cost implications, including the financial and societal benefits of a paid entitlement, will be important considerations for the Executive.

Engagement with various stakeholders, including CarersNI, the Carers Poverty Commission and a cross departmental working group on the issues impacting unpaid carers, is ongoing. Engagement with the Department for Business and Trade to discuss their plans for a review of carer’s leave in Britain has also commenced.

Independently, the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) has been commissioned to undertake an independent review of available cost and financial benefit modelling for a paid carer’s leave entitlement. HMRC have also been asked to impact the options and costs for the potential implementation of paid carer’s leave.