Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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26. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has a workplace policy on domestic and sexual violence and abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60806/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is not currently a specific internal workplace policy on domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the Civil Service, however, the Civil Service does have a policy covering unpaid leave for domestic reasons of up to two months (Circular 05/2010: Force Majeure and Other Urgent Family Reasons Leave) circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/2010/05.pdf

A commitment has been made in the Programme for Government to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is advancing work on this proposal.

As the Deputy will be aware,Minister McEntee is currently leading work on a new whole of government Domestic, Sexual, Gender Based Violence strategy.

This, the Third National Strategy will be the most ambitious to date and it will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It will set an overall goal of zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

The Strategy will be structured around the four pillars or goals of the Istanbul Convention which are:

- Prevention

- Protection

- Prosecution

- Co-ordinated Policies

The Strategy has been developed in partnership with the sector to ensure it is targeted, comprehensive and effective in achieving all of the goals set out.

In the coming weeks, Minister McEntee will be inviting feedback through a targeted public consultation process on the final draft of the strategy to ensure its focus is on the areas that people feel need the most attention.

The finalised strategy is expected to be brought to Government this spring.