Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Domestic violence is paramount in people's thoughts on International Women's Day every year and, sadly, this year is no different. I always find that a really sad reflection on Irish society. As leaders, Deputies in this House have a responsibility to do everything possible to end violence directed towards women and girls. When a woman comes forward after surviving an incident of domestic abuse, she is entitled to and deserves to be heard and fully supported. That is why it was so disappointing to hear the Minister, with the full support of his Cabinet colleagues, including the prescribed pay provision for domestic violence paid leave. He previously stated his intent to cut victims' pay by up to 30% when taking domestic violence leave, bringing the entitlement in line with sick pay. It is totally inappropriate to align domestic leave with sick pay. Domestic violence is not and should not be a normal occurrence in life nor should political leaders accept it as such. The retention of normal rates of pay for victims is also in line with international best practice, where this type of leave is well established. When in the Seanad recently, the Minister stressed that he had no intention of bringing forward a rate that would in any way undermine what he is trying to achieve with this legislation. We await his regulations setting out the rate of prescribed pay for domestic violence leave. I call on him to clarify what the rate of pay will be, when the regulations will be finalised and when this leave will be put in place.

In the brief time I have left to speak on International Women's Day, I take the opportunity to welcome the decision of the national body, Women's Collective Ireland, to base its head offices in north Clondalkin. Women's Collective Ireland supports grassroots women through women's community development locally and nationally. In addition to the head office being in my area, we also have the benefit of three local projects, the women's collectives in Ronanstown, Lucan and Liffey Valley, which have become an invaluable resource to women in my area. I thank the collectives for the tireless work they do in my community.

This morning, I attended the launch of two Mental Health Reform reports, one on women's experience of mental health and another on the impact of menopause on mental health. It was a really good launch and the work Mental Health Reform does for women's rights should be commended.

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