Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I fully support the Bill tabled by my colleagues, Deputies O'Reilly and McDonald. It proposes to allow for ten days of domestic violence leave. It is badly needed as the mental, physical and sexual abuse endured by women in particular cannot be overstated and is truly shocking. Conservative estimates indicate that at least one in four women in Ireland will encounter violence at some stage in her life from a current or former partner. Domestic violence and coercive control are global problems. The unprecedented levels of gender-based violence transcend all borders, age groups and socioeconomic groupings. Gender-based violence causes untold heartache and hardship for families from all walks of life. There are examples of good practice in other countries, including New Zealand and parts of Australia and Canada, which have introduced paid leave for those who have endured domestic abuse.

Many women who live with domestic abuse often see their workplace as a safe place. It is a place where they can get away from a distressing home life. It can be a vital support in enabling women to leave their abusive partners. Women who do not work outside the home often find themselves compelled to continue to live in an abusive and controlling situation. Women are more likely to be working in part-time or precarious work, putting them at greater risk of job and income insecurity if they have to take time off because of their circumstances. It has been shown that increased absenteeism often results from distressing home situations. This could be a result of injury, stress or court appearances. People affected should not have to worry about losing a day's pay and having to take annual leave or risk losing their job as a result of absenteeism in order to deal with intolerable home conditions.

It is important that employers and managers learn about the signs of domestic violence and how to support employees. Employers have a duty of care to their employees. The HSE, in conjunction with a number of domestic violence services, has developed a handbook of guidelines for employers on domestic abuse. That needs to be made available to all employers to enable them to respond and support employees who are, unfortunately, living in these awful circumstances. They need to try to make workplaces safe and supportive for those experiencing abusive home situations.

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