Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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525. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on introducing paid domestic violence leave to enable victims of domestic violence to leave their partners, find new homes and protect themselves and their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25198/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The provison of statutory leave is not a matter for my Department. Family leave, force majeure leave and other similar provisions fall under the Department of Justice, which is also the lead department for the policy response to issues related to domestic violence.

Since August, I introduced changes to the rent supplement scheme to make it more easily accessible to victims of domestic violence. This seeks to ensure that victims of domestic violence are not prevented from leaving their home because of financial or accommodation difficulties.

I trust that this clarifies the position.