Finance Minister John O'Dowd has encouraged anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby to share their views on the new Baby Loss Certificate Scheme consultation.

The scheme, which forms part of The Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill, will offer formal recognition to parents who have experienced the loss of a baby in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Since its launch less than two weeks ago, the consultation has already received over 300 responses, indicating significant public engagement with this sensitive issue. The consultation opened on Tuesday, 17 June 2025, and will run until Friday, 12 September 2025.

Speaking after a meeting with the Little Forget Me Nots Trust, an organisation dedicated to supporting families through infant loss, Minister O'Dowd said: "In the two weeks since the consultation opened the response has been very encouraging with more than 300 responses received so far. I want to thank those who have already shared their views. I am determined that this scheme meets the needs and expectations of those who have experienced the loss of a baby. I would encourage everyone to contribute to this important consultation. I understand that a certificate can never lessen the pain and devastating loss of a baby but I hope that this new scheme will go some way to provide comfort and solace." Louise from the Little Forget Me Nots Trust warmly welcomed the initiative: "At the Little Forget Me Nots Trust we wholeheartedly support the commitment to formally recognise the loss of a baby through the proposed Baby Loss Certificate Scheme. Every day, we walk alongside families who have experienced the heartbreak of losing a baby before 24 weeks' gestation. For many, there has never been an official acknowledgement of their baby's existence, no formal record to recognise that their pregnancy mattered. This lack of recognition can leave parents feeling unseen as though their grief is not valid or their experience is not important enough to be acknowledged. We witness first-hand the deep emotional toll this takes, and the long-lasting impact it can have on mental health and wellbeing."

She added: "That's why we warmly welcome this consultation and strongly encourage everyone in our community to have their say. We are in a unique and vital position to shape this scheme, not just for the families grieving today, but for future generations who deserve to have their babies' lives recognised with dignity and compassion. Let's make sure every baby is seen, and every parent is heard."

The Baby Loss Certificate Scheme aims to provide a non-legislative, commemorative certificate to acknowledge the loss, complementing existing provisions for stillbirth registration. The Department of Finance hopes the scheme will be operational for parents and families by the end of 2025.

Further information and consultation documents are available on the Department of Finance website.