I welcome Cabinet approval to progress The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022.
Those experiencing domestic violence are at greater risk of poverty. This is why the Programme for Government committed to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision for people experiencing domestic violence. The upcoming legislation will deliver on that. My colleague Minister Roderic O’Gorman and his Department have researched international practice, consulted with stakeholders and are developing a suitable model to address the needs of victims most effectively.
My Cabinet colleagues and I look forward to progressing this legislation as soon as possible, with the Bill hopefully to be passed by the end of this year. I also welcome confirmation by Minister O’Gorman this morning that his department has begun work on providing support for employers in developing their workplace domestic violence policies, with a view to these supports being rolled out in 2023.
Among the other provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 is an extension of entitlements for time off from work for breastfeeding and carer duties. I welcome this Bill and its speedy progress as a positive step for equality in the workplace and towards getting work life balance right.