Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

156. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the employer groups and trade unions his Department has consulted with on the establishment of a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave in tabular form. [13768/21]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the dates on which the establishment of a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave has been included on the meeting agenda of the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in tabular form. [13769/21]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

158. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that his Department’s scoping of a scheme of domestic violence leave which includes the international models and the identification of best practice is not included in the current list of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13770/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 158, inclusive, together.

Since its formation, the Government has made clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key priority. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence with a view to establishing a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave. My Department is currently examining the feasibility of introducing such proposals and has committed to developing a report to Government within six months, with legislative proposals to follow within 4 months.

As the Deputy is aware, the development of a scheme of domestic violence leave is currently being scoped by officials in my Department, which will include the examination of domestic violence leave at international level, the identification of best practice and the development of a suitable model for rollout in Ireland. This work will inform policy development and proposals in this area. However, as it is being undertaken by my officials, it was not deemed to fall under the list of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned.

My Department is engaging in a broader consultation process with relevant stakeholders and social partners to examine how a scheme of paid leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively. At my Department’s request, the Department of Justice convened a special meeting of the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence on 16 February 2021 to explore this issue with service providers and victims’ representative groups. A number of consultations have been conducted with employers groups and trade unions, with further consultations planned with stakeholders of the national Equality Strategy Committees falling under my Department’s remit. Written submissions have been invited from relevant stakeholders, which will identify key issues arising for both employees and employers, and inform future policy development in this area.

The table below contains details of stakeholder consultations conducted to date:

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

159. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the external audit of the way responsibility for domestic, sexual, gender-based violence is segmented across State bodies is not included in his Department’s current list of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13772/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is my understanding that the Deputy's question is referencing my response to Parliamentary Question 606 of 24 February 2021.

While my Department continues to play a central role on issues pertaining to the audit to which the Deputy refers, the audit was not commissioned by my Department and was therefore not included in the table provided as part of my reply of 24 February 2021. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in order to finalise the audit, which is expected shortly.