Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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338. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1137 of 26 April 2022 if his proposals for the introduction of domestic violence leave include paid leave. [22285/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since its formation, this Government has made it 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.

The issue of domestic violence leave has been researched by officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This research has included considering domestic violence leave at international level, identifying best practice and developing a suitable model for roll-out in Ireland.

The Department has engaged in a targeted consultation process with relevant stakeholders and social partners to examine how a scheme of leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively. This has included consulting with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions. Stakeholders of the National Equality Strategy Committees have also been consulted.

I intend to bring to Government shortly a report on this work. The report contains a number of recommendations including how best to support employees experiencing domestic abuse and proposals for the introduction of domestic violence leave, including consideration of paid leave.