Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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79. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects paid domestic violence leave to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5940/23]

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 Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 was included in the Government Legislative Programme for Autumn 2022 as priority legislation for drafting and publication in that session. Government approved the drafting of Committee Stage amendments to the Bill to provide for a form of domestic violence leave and these were introduced to the Bill at Committee Stage in the Dáil on 8 November 2022. The Bill has since passed all stages in Dáil Éireann and is currently before the Seanad at Committee stage.

The Bill will also introduce a new right to domestic violence leave. If passed, Ireland will become one of the first countries in Europe to introduce a right to paid leave for victims of domestic violence.

The leave is intended to prevent a victim of domestic violence from losing employment – putting them at risk of falling into poverty - and will allow a victim to find alternative accommodation. It is also intended to enable them to seek help from An Garda Síochána or the Courts Service or to obtain help from support organisations. The leave can be taken immediately and flexibly, with no requirement for proof to be produced by the person availing of the leave.

Once they meet their statutory obligations, employers are free to provide a more extensive entitlement to their employees.

In line with the other key recommendation of the Domestic Violence Leave Report, the Department will also be commissioning templates and other supports for individual employers to develop their own domestic violence workplace policies intended to foster a culture of openness and support for employees who may be experiencing domestic violence. The tender process for this important work is ongoing and a provider will be in place shortly.

Within the legislation, we will include a requirement to review the effectiveness of these provisions after two years, in order to ensure that it is providing the best support possible to anyone experiencing domestic violence.