Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021
29. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the development of proposals to provide for domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28676/21]
View answerSince its formation, this 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 in June, with legislative proposals to follow.
As the Deputy is aware, a scheme of domestic violence leave is currently being developed by officials in my Department, which includes 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. The outcome of this work will inform policy development and proposals in this area.
My Department has engaged in a targeted 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, including with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions and with stakeholders of the national Equality Strategy Committees falling under my Department’s remit. Written submissions were invited from relevant stakeholders and these submissions are currently being examined.
It is anticipated that the report, including the output of the consultation process, will be brought to Government in June.
