Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to be here to support and endorse this legislation tabled by Deputies McDonald and O'Reilly. In most cases, we know that women and children are the victims of domestic violence, but sometimes it can be men. In general, however, it involves women. They are most vulnerable in these circumstances and find themselves in a catastrophic situation when their only place of refuge is often their workplace. If they have to take time off work to deal with a terrible situation and there is no support available to them, that is terrible for a modern society. This Bill goes some distance towards showing that the State recognises and understands that.

I welcome the Minister's support for the Bill and I understand the Government will support it. I hope it will pass both Houses of the Oireachtas speedily and the legislation will be in place soon. I respect that the Minister will accept that this is only the start and much more needs to be done in this context.

Having dealt with people in our constituencies and elsewhere who have been the victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, we all understand that there is a significant gap in services. Many services are provided by voluntary and charitable organisations which are struggling to provide a service. More funding is needed, especially for the refuges which women must go to and which continuously turn people away. As we approach Christmas, we are conscious that it is a time of year when refuges are under particular pressure. At this time of year, it would be appropriate for the Minister to consider what assistance he can give to those refuges to ensure they do not have to turn anyone away, especially when we have Covid and there is significant pressure on women and children to try to cope with domestic violence, coercion and the control that abusive people can hold over their lives. This legislation goes some distance towards doing that.

We are aware that many of women are in precarious employment and difficult circumstances. Their job may be the only area of their lives they have any control over. We need to ensure the workplace is a place of refuge where they feel secure and also that if they have to take time off, they will get some compensation for doing so. This is sometimes necessary because of physical injury or to try to cope with their situation. It is welcome that the Minister is supporting this Bill, but much more needs to be done. As we move into the Christmas period, it is good that we are doing something for this vulnerable group in society.

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